Black Pepper Grades and Bulk Density

Grade table: bulk density

Black pepper is graded largely on berry size and density, reported as bulk density in grams per litre. Higher bulk density means heavier, bolder berries and usually a higher price. "Garbled" means cleaned and sorted of stalk and light matter.

What the grade signals

• —MG1 (Malabar Garbled) at 500-550 g/l is the volume export grade. TGEB (Tellicherry Garbled Extra Bold) at 550+ g/l is the bold, heavy selection and commands a premium.
• —Kochi in Kerala is the historic pepper auction benchmark and still anchors Indian pepper pricing.
• —Whole pepper is a dense seed spice, so a 20ft FCL loads to weight rather than volume, unlike whole chilli which fills space first.

EU compliance flag

Indian black pepper sits at a 50% Salmonella border check under Reg. (EU) 2019/1793. A pepper contract into the EU should carry a Salmonella-absent-in-25g result and a treatment record, or the lot risks a hold at the point of entry.

Frequently asked

What is the difference between MG1 and TGEB black pepper?

MG1 (Malabar Garbled) runs 500-550 g/l bulk density; TGEB (Tellicherry Garbled Extra Bold) runs 550+ g/l with bolder, heavier berries and a higher price.

Why is Indian black pepper checked at the EU border?

Indian black pepper carries a 50% Salmonella check under Reg. (EU) 2019/1793, so shipments need a Salmonella-absent result and treatment record.