Black pepper and white pepper both come from the same pepper plant. Yet they clearly differ in taste, aroma, appearance and use. Which pepper you choose best depends on the dish you are making. In this blog we explain what the difference is between black and white pepper, how they are made and when to use which type.

In short: black pepper vs white pepper

Black pepper

• Made from unripe pepper berries
• Spicy, powerful and aromatic
• Has a fresh, spicy flavor
• Perfect for meat, vegetables, pastas, soups and salads

White pepper

• Made from fully ripe pepper berries without the skin
• Softer but longer-lasting sharpness
• Earthy and slightly fermentative in flavor
• Ideal for light sauces, mashed potatoes, fish and creamy dishes

Do black and white pepper come from the same plant?

Yes. Both black and white pepper are derived from the Piper nigrum plant. The difference only arises during harvest and processing.

For black pepper the berries are harvested when they are still green. During drying the outer skin