Some peppercorns are pretty; others are pungent. Black, white and green peppercorns all come from the same plant, while the so-called pink and Sichuan peppercorns are from different plants.
Black Peppercorns:
These are unripe when picked, just before turning red and ripening to be dried. Tellicherry peppercorns are considered the finest in the world and come from the Malabar coast of India. They blacken as they dry and have a full, robust flavor. Lampong black peppercorns from Indonesia are picked earlier in the ripening process and have a sharpness.
White Peppercorns:
Ripe berries from the same vine as the black, soaked in water until the shell is soft and removable. Some say white peppercorns have a lighter flavor than black peppercorns while others argue the opposite. To prevent discoloration in white sauces, cooks use white peppercorns.
Green Peppercorns:
Berries picked sooner in the ripening process than the black. Green peppercorns are either commercially dehydrated or they may be pickled in brine. They have a zesty, perky bite different from black peppercorns. The slightly sour flavor is good for garnish, butters and game meats.
Pink Peppercorns:
From a small South American shrub, and not a proper member of the pepper family, they are sweet and fruity; good as an alternative pepper or in combination with green pepper. They are too soft to grind; cooks will sprinkle them whole in dishes, including salads, eggs, seafood, white sauces and chicken. When sautéed or cooked in sauces, the flavor changes to become similar to black pepper.
Sichuan Peppercorns:
Chinese peppers used along with ginger to provide heat in Asian dishes. There is no relation to black pepper. Quite aromatic but not very hot, this pepper preceded chile peppers in Asian cultures.
Pepper Mills:
There are several ways you can grind a peppercorn. You may whirl the peppercorns through a coffee grinder or invest in a pepper mill that grinds from fine to extra-coarse with the twist of a lever.
Another option is to put a little hard work into it and use a rolling pin or a mortar and pestle set. The best pepper mill has a warranty and a lot of adjustment from fine to very coarse. To determine just how fine to grind your peppercorns remember salads and steaks require a coarse grind, and sauces lend themselves to a finer grind. Pepper mills come in varying degrees of sophistication from natural walnut or clear acrylic to ceramic, copper and brass. Prices range from $20.00 to $50.00. Moreover, remember that pink peppercorns are too soft to grind.