Black and white peppercorns are fruits of the same pepper plant (Piper nigrum) but processed differently. Black peppercorns are picked before fully ripening, sundried until the outer skin shrivels and turns black. In case of white peppercorns the ripe fruit is soaked in water and the outer layer is removed, leaving the inner white seed.
Black pepper is spicier and has more flavours compared to white pepper which is hotter. Both peppercorns can be used in whole, cracked or ground form.