White, black and green pepper are all harvested from the woody, tropical plant Piper nigrum. Contrary to what some believe, Piper nigrum is not related to the Capsicum pepper family (which includes chile peppers and paprika) and their heat also comes from different sources. The spicy flavor that you experience from eating peppercorns comes from piperine, while the hot heat that you taste when eating a chile pepper comes from capsaicin.

Native to the monsoon regions of Southeastern Asia, Black Peppercorns are the most common color of peppercorns and are harvested before the berries are fully ripened (and are still green). These berries are then dried using one of two methods. The first takes the berry and boils it before using heat to dry the berries. The second, used by some estates, only uses the sun to dry the peppercorns. The heat used to dry these berries fractures the cell walls of the outer shell, causing it to shrivel and turn a very dark brown.

What Is It?

White peppercorns are berries that are stripped of their outer hull. They are picked near to the time of ripening, when they are yellowish red or red in color. The outer shell is then removed by soaking the peppercorns in water.

Our white peppercorns come from Indonesia.

Where to Use

European cooks prefer white pepper in flavoring creamy sauces and various light-colored dishes. It is also added during and after cooking to dishes such as soups, stocks vinaigrettes and cheeses.

Thais and other Southeast Asians use white pepper in many stir-fry dishes, grilled meats, stews and curries. They also add it to fried garlic, chile peppers and other spices to flavor fried chicken and pork dishes.

Whole White Peppercorns are commonly used in marinades, pickling and in peppermills.

Flavor Profile

White pepper has a sharp, winey and biting taste that is more sublte than black pepper.

Helpful Hints

Cooks will often season more liberally with white pepper than with black pepper.

We also carry a Ground White Pepper (40 mesh), as well as a variety of Ground Pepper and Peppercorns.

** This product is certified kosher.

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