white pepper (सेतो मरिच)
About white pepper (सेतो मरिच)
While not as ubiquitous as black pepper in Nepali cuisine, white pepper (seto mariach in Nepali) holds a place as a valued spice. Its more subtle flavor makes it suitable for dishes where a delicate spice profile is desired, or for aesthetic reasons. It is generally found in Nepali kitchens either as whole dried peppercorns or ground powder. Though not a primary flavour, white pepper is an ingredient that is used to subtly enhance the flavor of many Nepal dishes. It is generally available at grocery stores throughout Nepal, though not as common as black pepper.
Nutritional info
These are the major micro nutrients found in white pepper
Seasonality
Since white pepper is produced from the same plant as black pepper, its seasonality is tied to that of black pepper. The pepper plant, Piper nigrum, is a tropical vine that thrives in warm, humid climates. In Nepal, the cultivation of pepper (both black and white) is limited due to the country's diverse geography and cooler temperatures, mostly in the southern belts. Most of the peppers are imported from India or other countries. Therefore, there isn't a specific harvest season within Nepal. White pepper, being a processed product derived from black pepper berries, does not have a distinct seasonality of its own within Nepal.
History
The history of white pepper in Nepal is intertwined with the broader history of the spice trade in South Asia. Nepal, being a landlocked nation with unique topography, relied on trade routes for access to spices. While black pepper has been a more dominant player in traditional Nepali cuisine, white pepper's use is likely to have followed similar routes of trade, arriving through India over time. It was gradually incorporated into local cooking traditions, not as a foundational ingredient, but as a delicate spice for specific dishes. The influence of the Mughal era and the cuisines of neighbouring India would have certainly contributed to the adoption of white pepper in Nepali cooking. However, no specific document traces the start of using white pepper in Nepal but the use of spices is dated back to ancient history of the region.