Difference Between Black Pepper and White Pepper

The main difference between black pepper and white pepper is that black pepper has a more aromatic and a spicier heat in dishes whereas white pepper has a floral, earthy, and simple flavor with greater complexity.

Both black pepper and white pepper are the fruit of the pepper plant. However, they are processed differently. Black pepper is the still-green, unripe pepper, sundered up to turn its outer layer black. In white pepper, the outer layer is removed before or after drying in the sun, keeping only the inner seed. White pepper is more used in light-colored dishes for aesthetic reasons.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Black Pepper
     – Definition, Preparation, Characteristics
2. What is White Pepper
     – Definition, Preparation, Characteristics
3. What are the Similarities Between Black Pepper and White Pepper
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Black Pepper and White Pepper
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms: Black Pepper, Drupes, Flavor, Fleshy Part, Retting, Seed, Sun Drying, White Pepper

What is Black Pepper

Black pepper refers to the dried, still-green, unripe berries of the pepper (Piper nigrum), harvested while still unripe and used either whole or ground as a spice and condiment. This type of berries is also called drupes as they are indehiscent fruits, containing an outer, fleshy part that surrounds a single shell of hardened endocarp with a seed inside. The drupes are pre-cooked in hot water to clean and to prepare them for drying. The heat from hot water ruptures the cell walls of the fleshy part, speeding up the action of browning enzymes during drying. During drying, the fleshy part around the seed shrinks and darkens, forming a thin, wrinkled layer, which is black in color.

Figure 1: Unripe Drupes

Black pepper is rich in manganese, vitamin K, copper and dietary fiber. It is also a good source of iron, calcium, and chromium.

What is White Pepper

White pepper refers to the husked, ripe berries of the pepper, typically ground and used as a condiment. A process called retting removes the fleshy part of the pepper berry. The red colored, fully ripe berries are soaked in water to soften and decompose the fleshy part. The remaining fleshy part is then removed by rubbing.

Figure 2: Black and White Pepper

White pepper lacks the compounds of the fleshy part. Hence, it is less spicy than black pepper. It contains more earthy and a complex taste and has common use in Chinese and Thai cuisine. It is also used in salads, mashed potatoes, cream sauces, and light-colored sauces for aesthetic reasons.

Similarities Between Black Pepper and White Pepper

• Black and white pepper are made from the fruit of the pepper plant.
• They have a spicy taste.
• Both are used as a spice.

Difference Between Black Pepper and White Pepper

Definition

Black Pepper: Dried black berries of the pepper, harvested while still unripe and used either whole or ground as a spice and condiment

White Pepper: Husked ripe or unripe berries of the pepper, typically ground and used as a condiment

Contain

Black Pepper: Sundried, still-green, unripe berry of the pepper plant

White Pepper: Sundried seed of the pepper plant

Taste

Black Pepper: More aromatic and spicier

White Pepper: Floral, earthy, and simple flavor with greater complexity

Shelf Life

Black Pepper: Lasts longer

White Pepper: Low shelf life than black pepper

Significance

Black Pepper: Used to boost the flavor

White Pepper: Used for aesthetic reasons

Conclusion

Black pepper is spicier than white pepper and has a strong aromatic flavor but, white pepper has an earthy and complex flavor. Black pepper is the whole fruit sundried and white pepper is only the sundried seed. People use white pepper over black for aesthetic reasons. The main difference between black pepper and white pepper is the flavor and the manufacturing process.

Reference:

1. “Black Pepper.” Cabbage, Available here.
2. “White Pepper.” The Reluctant Gourmet, 17 Dec. 2013, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Dried Peppercorns” By K Hari Krishnan – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) fruits” By en:User:Bunchofgrapes – en:Image:Dried Peppercorns.jpg (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia