“How long do peppercorns last” is perhaps a question that all homeowners have asked at least once in their lives. The length of time these dried berries last depends on various factors such as type, whether ground or whole peppercorns, methods used, harvesting, storage, and more. But before you dig deeper on how long they can last, it’ll be great to be more familiar with peppercorns first.
What’s Peppercorn? A Brief History
Peppercorns are tiny fruits of piper nigrum, a well-known flowering vine. These small fruits grow in tropical regions and are native to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Some of the world’s finest peppercorns came from Malabar Coast, State of Kerala in India. They are also one of the most commonly used spices in the world.
These fruits begin their life as berries. This is known to be a native to India, particularly the southern region. These days, however, peppercorns are also grown in other tropical places. Based on some archeological evidence, people used pepper way back in 2000 BC in India. During this era, they used peppercorn for many things, including mummification ceremonies.
How Long Do Peppercorns Last?
Peppercorns will lose their zest after four years. Whole peppercorns should be stored in sealed containers placed in a dry and cool place for at least one year. Sources reveal that sealed and properly stored peppercorns can remain viable for three years. Ground peppercorns start to lose their flavor for about four months.
1. The shelf life of fresh or raw peppercorns at room temperature:
How long do peppercorns last at room temperature? The shelf life of peppercorns largely depends on how and where they are stored. The shelf life of raw or fresh peppercorns at room temperature is 3 to 4 years. These retain their best quality for 3 to 4 years provided that they are properly stored.
Unwashed fresh peppercorns must be kept in paper bags and can be stored in the fridge. If you have ground or dried peppercorns, keep them in jars. Make sure that the jars are tightly sealed and kept away from direct sunlight. If it’s whole peppercorns, you can practically keep it forever. But once these have been ground, they’re at their peak flavor and freshness for about three months.
2. How long does fresh or raw peppercorn last in the freezer?
Peppercorns can be stored in freezers. It will allow them to remain fresh for three months. The length of time peppercorns can last based on the storage condition. So, to maximize peppercorns’ shelf life, store them in a cool place like the freezer.
3. The shelf life of common dishes using peppercorns
Peppercorns are used as common ingredients in many different recipes to add spice and flavor to fish, meat, vegetables, soups, salad dressings, and pasta. A dash of peppercorns can also be added to avocado toasts, fruits, dipping sauces, and even eggs for some spicy kick.
The common dishes with peppercorns are:
- Double-cut and pan-roasted pork chops with peppercorn crust: This dish features black and green peppercorns. The green peppercorn seasons the sauce, and the black ground peppercorn coats the pork chops.
- Italian pasta dish: Peppercorns are used mainly in creating delicious Italian spaghetti sauce.
- Peppercorn-crusted beef tenderloin: The combination of indelicately cracked white, green, and black peppercorns makes a delicious beef tenderloin with a peppercorn crust.
Other Common Uses of Peppercorn and Their Shelf Life
Peppercorns are available either canned or pickled, and each type and common use has its expected shelf life.
- Pickled Peppercorns: Pickled peppercorns are often preserved in water, salt, and vinegar solution. Pickling is a process of enhancing flavor. You can use peppercorns not only as pickles but also in salad juices, dressings, marinades, burgers, creamy sauces, and more. If stored properly, an unopened jar of pickled peppercorn can retain its best quality for two years. If the pickled peppercorns develop a foul smell, appearance, or odor, or if mold appears, these should be discarded.
- Canned Peppercorns: Peppercorns are also available in cans. Peppercorns are carefully harvested, processed, and put into cans. Special ingredients are added inside the cans to preserve the flavor. Canned peppercorns can perfectly accompany your meats, soups, cream sauces, tuna, salmon, olive, omelets, stir-fries, and more. Refrigerating canned peppercorns is not always necessary. These have a shelf life of up to about four years.
How Do You Know When Peppercorns Have Gone Bad?
Most spices do not go bad or expire. You can only say that they have gone bad if the peppercorns lost most of their color, potency, and flavor. You can test if peppercorns are still effective and potent by crushing a small quantity in your hand. You must taste and smell the peppercorn, and if the flavors aren’t obvious and the aroma is weak, then peppercorns should be replaced or discarded.
Conclusion
How long do peppercorns last? At most, it retains its good quality for four years. With this article, I hope you get a clear glimpse of their shelf life. It will help you decide on what meals to prepare and what types of peppercorns to use. Knowing peppercorns’ shelf life can also help you plan what meals or recipes you are going to cook.
Food shelf life guidelines:
How Long Does Tabasco Last?How Long Do Yakisoba Noodles Last?
