Pepper comes to us from the tiny, inconspicuous berry of the climbing vine Pepper nigrum. Pepper is actually a fruit, and the peppercorn is the berry. The three main types of pepper—green, black and white—derive from the same plant. They differ both in what stage of ripeness they are harvested and in how they are processed. The end product is differentiated not just by colour, but by flavour, aroma and pungency. Hence, different types of pepper are better paired as seasoning or as a flavour enhancer with different foods and preparation methods.
Black pepper and white pepper are those most commonly used.
Black Pepper comes from matured berries which are hand-picked, cleaned and dried. It is an excellent all-purpose seasoning, ideal for savoury and spicy dishes, hearty stews and sauces, barbecuing, baking and roasting.
White Pepper is the fully ripened and mature seed of the peppercorn. It is produced by harvesting matured pepper berries which are soaked in running water to remove the outer skin. White pepper has a milder, more delicate flavour, and is used extensively in French, Chinese, and Thai cuisine, among others, as well as in soups, soufflés and salads.