AbstractEssential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of green and blackPiper nigrumL. berries of Indian origin were analysed by GC and GC‐MS methods and compared with reported constituents of Sri Lankan green and black pepper oils. The monoterpene hydrocarbons of Indian oils are similar to those of corresponding Sri Lankan oils but the oils differ in the make‐up of their sesquiterpene and oxygenated components. β‐Pinene and caryophyllene occur in all oils, sabinene in Sri Lankan oils only and car‐3‐ene in none of the oils. Salzer's recommendation that the ratio of (sabinene + β‐pinene + car‐3‐ene)/caryophyllene ‘as a suitable pepper oil characteristic’ requ