Will ground sealed pepper have lost it freshness?
Ground pepper begins to lose it's flavors very quickly.  You can try this yourself by grinding your own, then tasting over the course of a couple of days.  I find it is always best right after I grind it.  Sealing a container of ground pepper might help, but who knows how long between grinding and sealing? Then, once you remove the seal, flavor is degrading further. Again, just compare this pepper to some you have freshly ground.  There really is no comparison.  If you are a black pepper lover, buy whole and grind in small amounts.