White pepper is produced from peppercorns that have been allowed to fully ripen, skinned, and then dried to produce small, tannish-colored peppercorns that are used as a spice. They have a milder flavor than the less-ripe version (black peppercorns). White pepper is used as an alternative to black pepper in recipes such as white sauces or white mashed potatoes when a more pleasing appearance is desired to eliminate the black specks throughout the food. 

White pepper is often used instead of black pepper in dishes, where the black flecks are considered unsightly.