Whole Black Peppercorns Pavone 1 kg
Whole black peppercorns from India, professional 1 kg bag under the Pavone brand, packed by F.lli Garuti (active in the spice trade since 1955) at its ISO 9001 facility in Ladispoli. Whole berries preserve piperine and volatile aromatic oils far longer than pre-ground pepper: ground on demand they deliver a pungent, warm, citrus-resinous aroma that no pre-ground product can match. Supplied in a 15 kg carton (15 bags of 1 kg) for high-volume kitchens.
What black pepper is
Black pepper is the dried unripe drupe of Piper nigrum, a climbing vine native to the Malabar Coast of southern India and cultivated for over three thousand years. The berries are picked while still green, briefly blanched and sun-dried until the skin wrinkles and darkens to black. Its pungency comes from piperine, while the warm, aromatic top notes come from a fragile fraction of essential oils that begins to evaporate within minutes of grinding. This is the technical reason every serious kitchen grinds pepper to order rather than buying it pre-ground.
Origin: India
This pepper is sourced from India, the historic home of Piper nigrum and still a benchmark for quality. The two most prized Indian origins are Malabar, balanced and aromatic, and Tellicherry (TGSEB grade), made from the largest, late-harvested berries with the most complex aroma. Indian pepper is the reference standard against which other origins are measured.
The producer: Pavone (F.lli Garuti)
The Pavone brand belongs to F.lli Garuti, a company whose spice business was started by Marino Garuti in 1955. From hand-packed sachets it grew, across three generations, into a packaging operation serving more than 1,500 spice merchants and wholesalers. Pavone selects spices in Italy and abroad and packs them at Ladispoli (province of Rome) with ISO 9001 quality-management certification, organic certification for its bio range and FSC-certified packaging. F.lli Garuti is the producer and packer; LAPA is the authorised distributor for Switzerland.
Sensory profile
Uniform, dense, dark-brown to black berries with a wrinkled surface. On grinding the aroma is immediately pungent and warm, with woody-resinous and faintly citrus notes; the taste is sharp and lingering thanks to its high piperine content. Whole berries that sink in water and feel hard between the fingers indicate fresh, well-dried pepper.
Professional uses
Black pepper is the most versatile spice in the professional kitchen. Grind it fresh at the table over tagliata, Florentine steak and carpaccio. Use whole berries to perfume stocks, court-bouillon, brines and marinades, removing them before service. Crush berries coarsely with the flat of a knife for the classic sauce au poivre (about 8 g of cracked pepper per 4 portions, deglazed with brandy and cream). For an authentic Roman cacio e pepe, dry-toast the cracked pepper in a hot pan for around 30 seconds to bloom the aroma, then finish off the heat. Whole peppercorns are also essential in charcuterie, salami and home preserves.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not add ground pepper at the start of a long cook or a high-temperature roast: above 80 °C the volatile aromatics evaporate and only the bitter, acrid edge survives - always pepper at the end. Do not store the open bag near the stove or in direct light: heat and humidity flatten the aroma. Do not grind a day's supply in advance; freshly ground pepper loses its top notes within the hour.
Storage and shelf life
Store the resealable bag in a cool, dry place below 20 °C, away from light and humidity. No refrigeration required. Whole peppercorns keep their aroma far longer than ground pepper, with a commercial shelf life of up to 24 months. Once opened, keep the bag tightly closed.
Delivery and logistics
B2B and B2C delivery throughout Switzerland from the LAPA warehouse in Embrach (Zurich). As a dry ambient product, black pepper ships on standard pallets and parcels with no cold chain required, ideal for stock building. Direct distribution across Zurich, Winterthur, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, Frauenfeld, Aargau, Bern and Basel; for Ticino (Lugano, Bellinzona, Locarno), French-speaking Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne, Fribourg), Valais (Sion, Martigny) and the Grisons (Chur, Davos) shipping within 24-48 hours via partner couriers (Swiss Post PostPac, Planzer, Galliker). Service tailored for restaurants, pizzerias, hotels, delicatessens, gastronomies, caterers, Italian grocery stores and private customers.
Who it is for
Designed for restaurants, pizzerias, hotels, caterers, delicatessens, charcuterie producers and demanding home cooks who want the full aroma of freshly ground pepper and the cost efficiency of a 1 kg professional format in a 15 kg carton.
