white pepper
Definition
Noun 1. A spice made from the dried inner seed of the Piper nigrum fruit, with the dark outer husk removed: This results in a spice with a milder, more earthy, and slightly fermented flavor compared to black pepper. 2. The plant (Piper nigrum) that produces the peppercorns used to make this spice: This definition refers to the climbing vine itself, particularly when cultivated for its white peppercorns.
Usage Examples
- As a spice:
- The recipe calls for a teaspoon of white pepper to season the sauce.
- For a smooth appearance in light-colored soups, chefs often prefer white pepper over black.
- Referring to the plant:
- The white pepper vine thrives in tropical climates.
Advanced Usage
- Culinary Context: White pepper is prized in cuisines where visible black specks are undesirable, such as in white sauces, mashed potatoes, or light-colored dishes. It provides heat without the pronounced floral notes of black pepper.
- Processing Distinction: The term specifically denotes the processing method where ripe peppercorns are soaked to remove the outer pericarp, leaving only the inner seed to be dried.
Variants and Related Words
- Black Pepper: The more common spice made from the whole dried unripe fruit of the same plant, .
- Peppercorn: The dried berry of the pepper plant.
- Piper nigrum: The botanical name for the pepper plant.
Synonyms
- Ground white peppercorns (descriptive synonym for the powdered form).
Related Phrases
- To season with white pepper: The standard phrase for its culinary use.
- Always season with white pepper at the end of cooking to preserve its aroma.
Noun
-
pepper ground from husked peppercorns
-
climber having dark red berries (peppercorns) when fully ripe; southern India and Sri Lanka; naturalized in northern Burma and Assam
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