Simon Parkes visits Kerala in search of peppercorns.
In Ancient Rome, Pliny complained about the price of pepper and in 16th century Antwerp, the price of pepper served as a barometer for many other economic activities. Over the centuries, one constant in the trading of this perennial spice has been that it's thought that the best quality peppercorns are grown in the south Indian state of Kerala, and it's from there that Simon Parkes reports in this week's Food Programme.
Taking part
Food historian Andrew Dalby outlines the history of trade in pepper.
Simon visits Parameswaran's Special Wynad Pepper plantation in Kerala, South India where he meets owner Colin Hamilton and pepper farmer Parameswaran.
Simon cooks with Rakhi Dasgupta, chef at Kewpie's Kitchen in Calcutta.
Reporter Ray Kershaw visits the French-owned island of Reunion in the Indian ocean and meets Daniel Moreau, the main exporter of Baies Roses, or pink peppercorns.
Simon visits food writer Jill Norman and tastes a range of peppers.
Presenting The Food Programme has been Sheila's perfect job.