What's the difference between white pepper and black pepper?

[shooter57]

besides the obvious, of course

Is there a flavour difference? I've read a lot of recipes that call for both kinds, but my wife thinks color is the only difference.

 

[irishteabear]

I haven't done a side by side comparison but if I remember what I've heard and read supposedly white is a slightly hotter pepper than black is. The white peppercorn is allowed to ripen longer on the vine.

 

[meat hunter]

Teabear is right.

 

[fired up]

White pepper is used in recipes where you dont want to "see" the pepper, such as alfredo sauce. It is a little spicier not much though.

 

[scubadoo97]

white pepper is black pepper with the hull removed. Can be hotter but less flavor than black pepper.

 

[trapper]

Everything you ever wanted to know about pepper: http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penze...ppercorns.html
I mix white, green, black, and pink in my pepper mill.

 

[teacup13]

black pepper is picked when green, aged and then you use it.

white peppercorn ripens fully on the vine before it is picked and the black outer husks removed.

http://www.mccormickgourmet.com/content.cfm?id=10078

 

[teacup13]

pink peppercorns are actually not pepper, it from the Baies rose plant

http://www.answers.com/topic/pink-peppercorn

 

[morkdach]

White pepper is used in recipes where you dont want to "see" the pepper,
ya gots see the pepper