Pink peppercorn, sometimes called pink pepper, is not a true pepper but the dried fruit of a tree called Schinus terebinthifolius or Schinus molle (depending on the region). It is known for its bright pink color and its slightly sweet and peppery taste.
Pink peppercorn originates from South America, mainly Brazil, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. The tree that produces these berries grows well in warm and dry areas, often in plains and open forests.
It is sometimes called “Brazilian pepper” or “false pepper” because it resembles black pepper but belongs to a different family: the Anacardiaceae, like the mango tree or the pistachio tree.
The berries are harvested when they are ripe, once they are nicely pink, and then they are dried for preservation. Unlike black pepper, they do not need fermentation; they are ready to use after drying.