Pepper (Piper nigrum) plants are flowering vines cultivated in tropical regions near the equator. The fruit of the vines are pepper berries; dried they are peppercorns. Black pepper is produced from mature berries that are cooked and dried. White peppercorns are formed from black peppercorns by removing the outer layer through a soaking process. White and black pepper are equally pungent, but their flavors are distinct. Many cooks like to use white pepper in light colored food, such as a white sauce. Green peppercorns are picked before the berries are fully mature. Their flavor is relatively mild. Red and pink peppercorns are not truly pepper. They grow on bushes, not vines.