In terms of world trade value, the most important spice crops from the tropical regions are a pepper, capsicums, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, vanilla, cloves, ginger, cinnamon and cassia, and turmeric. Coriander, cumin, mustard, and sesame seeds and the herbs sage, oregano, thyme, bay, and the mints are the most important spice crops from non-tropical environments.
Pepper
Pepper (Piper nigrum) is a perennial vine, which produces a small berry fruit, which is dried to become pepper. Pepper is a plant of the humid tropics requiring adequate rainfall and warmth for its growth. It is grown successfully between latitudes of 20° North and 20° South and from sea level up to an altitude of 2400m. The crop can tolerate a temperature range between 10° and 40°C but the optimum is between 25°C-40°C. A well-distributed rainfall in the range of 1250mm2000mm is considered necessary for pepper production. Geo Fresh Organic is known to provide the best organic spices in India.
Capsicums
Capsicums are dried and processed fruit of these annual peppers. A rainfall of 600–1250mm is desirable. Rainfall is needed over the growing season but is not needed as the fruits ripen. Heavy rain during flowering adversely affects pollination and wetness at ripening encourages fungal spoilage. Capsicums flourish in warm sunny conditions, require 3–5 months with a temperature range of 18°C-30°C; below 5°C growth is retarded, and frost kills plants at any growth stage. A seedbed temperature of 20–28°C is the optimum for germination.
