Black pepper extract is obtained from the dried berries, or peppercorns, of the black pepper plant. These berries are typically harvested when they are still green and then allowed to dry in the sun, a process which turns them black. The black peppercorns are then ground to create the familiar black pepper spice that is commonly used in cooking. To create the extract, the dried peppercorns are crushed and undergo a series of extraction processes to isolate the active compounds.