THE WHITE PEPPER
Let’s be honest: white pepper isn’t winning any popularity contests these days. Most home cooks don’t keep it stocked, and even in professional kitchens, it’s often overlooked. But here’s the thing—white pepper isn’t just black pepper’s milder twin.
White pepper comes from the same berries as black pepper, but it's processed differently. After harvesting, the outer black skin is removed, leaving only the inner seed. This gives white pepper a smoother, more fermented flavor—earthy, slightly funky, and deeply aromatic when used right.
🌾 What Is White Pepper, Anyway?
Basic Characteristics of White Pepper
Origin:
White pepper comes from the same fruit as black pepper (Piper nigrum), but is processed differently.Processing:
The outer black skin is removed (typically through soaking), leaving only the inner seed. This gives it a lighter color and different flavor.Flavor Profile:
Milder than black pepper
Earthy, slightly fermented or musky
Subtle heat with a smooth finish
Less sharp, more nuanced
Appearance:
Pale grayish-white or beige; blends into light-colored dishes without visible specks.Aroma:
Distinctive, slightly musty or fermented smell (due to the wet processing method).
When to Use White Pepper
When you want heat without visual specks
When cooking delicate or creamy dishes
To achieve a more subtle, layered flavor than black pepper
In Asian recipes that specifically call for it
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
DYNAMITE SHRIMP
Dynamite Shrimp | Japanese Style Appetizer
King or medium size shrimps 400 grams
All purpose flour 1 cup
Corn starch ½ cup
Garlic powder 2 teaspoon
White pepper powder ½ teaspoon
Salt 1 teaspoon
Egg 1 large
Soya sauce 1 tablespoon
In a bowl add all the dry ingredients such as flour, corn starch, garlic powder and salt.
In another bowl add clean dry shrimp, egg and soya sauce, mix well
Now gradually add dry mixture to shrimp and mix well
Let it rest for ½ hour,
Deep dry shrimp separately till golden brown or for 7 minutes on medium-high heat
Then coat it in a dynamite sauce,
Garnish with white sesame and spring onion greens.
For dynamite sauce or boom boom sauce
Mayonnaise 1 cup
Siracha or hot sauce 4 tablespoon
Ketchup 2 tablespoon
Honey 1 tablespoon
Beat till well combine,
You can also use sweet chili sauce instead of ketchup and honey
So that will be 3 tablespoon of sweet chilli sauce
Thought of the week
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come without leaving happier.”