| Appearance |
Small, round, dark brown to black berries, wrinkled skin |
| Shape |
Small spherical or irregularly shaped, depending on processing |
| Size |
3 to 5 mm in diameter |
| Odor |
Strong, pungent, spicy aroma |
| Taste |
Hot, pungent, slightly woody and earthy |
| Moisture Content |
10% to 12% |
| Bulk Density |
0.5 to 0.7 g/cm³ |
| Foreign Matter |
Not more than 1% |
| Ash Content |
5% to 8% |
| Pesticide Residue |
Must conform to international standards |
| Storage |
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight |
| Shelf Life |
2 to 3 years when stored properly |
| Particle Size |
Typically 0.5 to 1 mm for ground black pepper |
