The name Tellicherry refers to a grade of black peppercorns, not a place of origin.
Tellicherry is a Grade of Black Peppercorns
The term Tellicherry is used for the largest and most mature peppercorns regardless of where they are from. They are grown on the same plant (Piper nigrum) and processed the same way as "regular" black pepper. Most Tellicherry pepper is indeed from the Malabar coast region of India, where the city of Tellicherry was (it is now called Thalassery). Tellicherry pepper is often sourced from Vietnam, Malaysia, and other places with the right growing conditions.
Tellicherry peppercorns are especially prized in cooking for their citrusy, fruity notes and depth of flavor compared with generic black pepper. Also, some people find the large peppercorns to be more visually appealing, so they sometimes command a price premium.
Why the Name Change to Thalassery?
The name Tellicherry originated with the British colonists who Anglicized the local name of the city to Tellicherry and used it in official records, on maps, and so on. With the end of colonial rule, the Indians reverted to original place names and replaced the Anglicized versions that the British had imposed on them. And so, Tellicherry is now Thalassery. The colonial name lives on however in the spice trade.
Wondering if your pricey peppercorns will ever expire? Read about it!
