Green peppercorn

Green peppercorn is the unripe berry of the true-pepper vine Piper nigrum — the very same plant that gives black and white pepper — picked while still green and preserved before it can ripen and darken, usually packed in brine or freeze-dried (hence the "drained" green corns sold in jars). It is fresh, bright and herbaceous, more aromatic and far less pungent than black pepper, with a piney, resinous, green-vegetal lift and only a mild, clean heat — the classic spice of steak au poivre vert, pâtés and cream sauces.