Pungent, hot, and woody; pepper also called peppercorn is one of the most important members in the sassy world of spices. Round tiny kernels of different types and quality, this flavoursome spice has played a significant role in the history of food. A key ingredient in Chinese cuisine where it is relished more than black pepper, it contains healing qualities that have been described in ancient medical volumes dating back to 3,000 years. Brimming in a medley of colours, the perennial pepper plant goes by the scientific name Piper nigrum. Cultivated majorly in India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Vietnam, this important genus in the family of Piperaceae produces the pungent fruit of peppercorn; small flowers with rows of minuscule berries drooping from long vines. Black and white, both variants come from the same plant and when the berries mature and the flowers wither away, they are plucked, harvested, and sun-dried. Unlike black pepper, white pepper comes from berries picked and fermented when they fully ripen, while black pepper is produced by cooking dried unripe fruit.

Also read:  Black Pepper: 5 Outstanding Wellness Incentives Of This Wonder Spice- Infographic

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Stark Differences Between White Pepper And Black Pepper

Though both black and white pepper kernels boast myriads of health and wellness benefits and rich nutritional content, the following are the major differences between the two:

• White pepper is high in antioxidants and contains a hearty dose of fiber, manganese, and iron while black pepper has higher anti-inflammatory properties.
• White pepper is less pungent due to the chemicals that are stripped away when its upper layer is removed, while black pepper is hot and extremely tangy.
• Black pepper is for recipes that need extra tang, while white pepper is for dishes that require just about a dash of flavour. That is why black pepper is added during the process of cooking, while white pepper is added once the dish is fully prepared.
• White pepper is a potent breath freshener owing to its mild floral and fruity notes while black pepper is comparatively zestier and piquant.
• Black pepper due to its strong flavour is beneficial in improving digestion and boosting metabolism. It is also known for reducing the risk of cancer, besides combating heart and liver ailments. On the other hand, white pepper boosts appetite and treats chronic constipation

While these itsy-bitsy kernels can be paired with just about any food on the planet, to know more about its wellness benefits and to find out why you should add safed mirchi or white pepper to your daily diet, foray into this infographic: