There’s no spice like spice! Explore the best properties that consuming white pepper has to offer you

White pepper is often used in dishes that require a slightly spicy touch.

Read this article and find out how to make the most of its properties, which will perfectly underline any dish!

Revive recipes that have already been cooked and looked at 100 times with a pinch of this spice!

What is white pepper?

White pepper is a spice made from the dried fruits of the pepper tree, just like black pepper.

It is obtained from ripe, dried and peeled berries of the evergreen pepper tree. The berries are picked when fully ripe, red in color, then soaked in water to remove the pistil.

The seeds must be dried in the sun, then they acquire their typical yellow-white color.

The taste of white pepper is considerably milder, less aromatic and sharp than black pepper, but it stands out with its sweet aroma. White pepper is available both whole and ground.

Types of pepper

White pepper vs. black pepper

While they come from the berries of the same plant, the difference between white and black pepper begins when the berries are picked. To make black pepper, unripe peppercorns are collected and then dried, which blackens the skin and gives it its flavor.

White pepper is made from fully ripe pepper berries. They are soaked in water for about 10 days, which leads to fermentation. Then the skins are removed from them. Thanks to this, white pepper has a different taste than black pepper.

Green pepper

Green peppercorns are unripe peppercorns, harvested from the same vine as white and black peppercorns. They are dehydrated or preserved, which will result in a delicate taste.

They are aromatic, have a fresher, fruitier flavor than white or black pepper, and are usually pickled to keep longer. Try it in recipes for stuffed tomatoes with green pepper or strawberry jelly with green pepper.

Pink pepper

These fine peppercorns are not actually peppercorns at all, but the berries of a South American shrub. You won’t find them in a pepper mill, because their fragility and delicacy make them best suited to salads or ready meals, where their sweetly sharp and mild flavor complements seafood and lighter sauces.

Szechuan pepper

Similarly, Szechuan pepper is not from the pepper family, but a dried berry from the Szechuan province of China. The more aromatic Szechuan pepper is a mountain ash berry with a pungent flavor.

Health effects of white pepper

Loaded with antioxidants

White pepper has more antioxidants than black pepper. This means that it has a higher ability to fight free radicals that can cause some heart diseases, diabetes and even obesity.

Anti-inflammatory properties

White pepper contains piperine, which has anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, it allows to reduce inflammation and treat muscle spasms.

Prevents flatulence and improves digestion

White pepper helps to reduce gas, besides stimulating the production of gastric acids in the stomach. It aids digestion and, thanks to its fiber content, facilitates the smooth functioning of the intestines.

Beneficial for patients with anorexia

White pepper is known to improve digestion and increase appetite. So white pepper can help with anorexia and increase hunger.

Lowers blood pressure

White pepper is a good source of flavonoids, vitamin A and vitamin C. These help reduce high blood pressure. By keeping constant blood pressure under control, it reduces the likelihood of a stroke.

Helps manage arthritis

White pepper is a well-known super food for relieving joint and spine pain. The benefit lies in the presence of piperine. According to studies, piperine has antinociceptive and antiarthritic effects. So it can ease the agony of arthritis and gout.

Improves brain function

White pepper may be beneficial for improving cognitive brain function. In addition, it can also help in preventing the degeneration of brain cells.

Average nutritional value of white pepper (per 100 g)

What recipes to add white pepper to?

How to store white pepper?

Store white pepper in a tightly closed container away from light.

Peppercorns can be stored longer than ground white pepper, which loses its flavor and potency after about three months.

It won’t spoil and is safe to use, but you may need more to get the same flavor.

For this reason, it is reasonable to buy ground white pepper in smaller quantities, which you will use in a shorter period of time.