White pepper seems unusual at first. These are the seeds of conventional pepper that have been removed from the pulp. In this article you can read where white pepper comes from, how it works and how you use it.
White pepper is not a different variety of the pepper plant. Rather, the different colors are different degrees of maturity. Black pepper is harvested while it is still unripe, i.e. green, and then dried. For white pepper, on the other hand, the fruit must be fully ripe. They are then soaked in water for several days and their red flesh is removed. What remains is the white seed of the pepper plant.
Whether black, red or white pepper, the grains come from the evergreen climbing shrub Piper nigrum. The plant needs a lot of heat and high humidity and originally comes from India. In addition to India, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and China now export pepper.
Use white pepper
White pepper is the pure seed of the pepper plant. Unlike red or black pepper, white pepper does not contain any pulp. This preserves the pungent substance in the seed, while the flavor profile shrinks without the essential oils from the pulp. White pepper is therefore much hotter but less varied in taste.
As with other types of pepper, you should always grind white pepper freshly or crush it with a mortar. Pre-ground powder quickly loses its intense flavor. That’s why it’s not worth buying pepper in large quantities. According to a study, the content of essential oils, which are responsible for the taste, decreases the longer you store it. Basically, you should store the whole grains in a dark, dry and airtight place so that the aroma is preserved for as long as possible.
White pepper is particularly popular with light dishes. The ground white pepper seasons light sauces or light meat without being visually striking. White pepper is particularly good for these dishes:
The classic hollandaise sauce gives white pepper a pleasant spiciness. In general, white pepper goes well with asparagus. It is also suitable for cream of asparagus soup.
White pepper goes well with potato dishes. Whether mashed potatoes, potato soup or gratin: white pepper gives classic dishes a new twist.
You can also use white pepper for white meat or fish. A marinade made from lemon, white pepper and fresh herbs is ideal for this.
Also try flavoring desserts with white pepper. A pinch of pepper underlines the other flavors and brings unexpected variety to your desserts.
This is how white pepper works
Pepper is considered the most used spice worldwide. Aside from its culinary uses, pepper is also valued for its medicinal properties.
The main active ingredient in pepper is called piperine. The substance is not only responsible for the sharpness of the small grains, but also has other useful and healing properties according to studies:
The pungent substance has powerful antioxidant properties. It supports the body in cell renewal, fights free radicals and reduces oxidative stress.
The substance also supports digestion. Piperine stimulates the production of digestive juices. This allows your body to digest your food more efficiently and quickly.
In addition, white pepper has antibacterial properties.
Black pepper is mostly used for healing purposes, because the other valuable properties come from the essential oils. These are mainly found in the pulp of the plant, which is why the content in the dark variety is significantly higher.
