How to Dry Pepper Berries for Wreaths

The Piper nigrum plant produces berries that go nicely in wreaths.

The fruit, or berries, of the Piper nigrum plant are among the most common spices in the world. Known in English-speaking countries as simply pepper, or black pepper, the plant is a tropical woody vine that can reach the tops of trees on which it climbs. Berries grow in clusters and begin to turn orange when they become ripe. If you collect and dry them, they can make an attractive addition to wreaths and other seasonal décor.

Things You'll Need

• Garden snips
• Large pan
• Strainer
• Towel
• Straw mat(s)

Instructions

1. Harvest berries when they begin to turn yellow or orange. Snip off the clusters of ripening fruit with garden snips and then separate the berries by gently pulling them off with your fingers. If you want to leave the berries on their stems in clusters, they will work well in wreaths but will take longer to dry.

2. Clean the berries by rinsing them in room temperature water. Then blanch them in boiling water for 10 minutes. Pour the berries and water through a strainer and then place the berries on a clean towel to allow the water to evaporate. Sort through them to remove any unwanted materials.

3. Lay straw or bamboo mats on the ground in an area that receives full sun. Then spread your washed and air-dried berries on the mats and distribute them evenly so they sit only one layer deep.

4. Move the berries indoors at night to avoid dampness, which can cause them to mold.

5. Move your berries back to the mats in the sun the following morning and repeat the drying process until they are dark and slightly shriveled. The drying process should take four to five days.

Tips & Warnings

• Drying times can vary and might take up to 14 days.

References

• Agroforestry.net: Farm and Forestry Production for Black Pepper
• Trade Winds Fruit: Pepper
• Frontier Natural Products Co-op: Black Pepper Primer
• Purdue University: Spice Crops