Some Like It Hot... and Spicy
Delving into the glory that is the hot pepper
When I was young, I am not sure how young I was probably under the age of six. A neighbor from down the street asked me if I wanted a bite of something from her garden, of course, I said yes. When I walked over to her she handed me what appeared to be a green fruit that I had never seen before. After inspecting it for a minute, eager to taste this mysterious find, I took my first bite.
At first, it didn’t taste like anything, but after a second more enthusiastic bite, it hit me. POW! She had given me a Jalapeno pepper. This isn’t the hottest pepper by any means but an immense heat filled my mouth, burned my lips, and my whole face was set ablaze. It was at this point I started running home where I chugged down several cups of milk!
I can’t remember much from then on, but that wasn’t the last time I burned my face off. Over the years I developed a deep appreciation for the flavor and heat of these kinds of chiles.
In my home kitchen, I use different kinds of chilies on an almost daily basis, the flavor is unlike anything else, and chiles have definitely been a welcome addition to my culinary arsenal.
Today we are going to take a look at what makes the flavor and heat of these chiles so desirable.
Where did it all begin? We can trace the story of the chili pepper back to the Americas where it has been cultivated for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that chili peppers were being consumed in Mexico as far back as 6,000 years ago.
Ancient civilizations such as the Aztecs and Mayans used chili peppers in their diets and religious rituals alike. One of the most significant moments in chili pepper history was the encounter between Christopher Columbus and the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. This encounter proved far more advantageous for Columbus than it did for the natives, but that’s another story entirely.
Columbus, on his voyage to find a new route to Asia, encountered chilies, which he called "pepper" due to their fiery flavor reminiscent of black pepper. This discovery marked the chili pepper's introduction to the wider world and the beginning of its journey to pepper rockstar status.
After the conqueror Columbus discovered chili peppers, their popularity spread like wildfire (pun intended) to the rest of the world through trade routes and colonization.
The Portuguese and Spanish explorers played a critical role in the introduction of chili peppers to regions such as Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. The chili pepper's adaptability to various climates and soils made it easy to cultivate in new environments, and it soon became an essential ingredient in the cuisines of many cultures.
In my opinion, however, there is some conflicting evidence as to where certain peppers originated from. The Naga Morich for example is a super hot chili that is similar to the ghost pepper. The Naga Morich or Dorset Naga comes in at around 1 million Scoville units, making it one of the hottest peppers on earth, and is native to North East India and the Sylhet region of Bangladesh.
In India, chili peppers became a staple in curries and spice blends, adding depth of flavor and intense heat to already amazing dishes. In Thailand, the famous Thai bird's eye chili became a fundamental component of the country's signature dishes, contributing both heat and a distinct flavor.
Beyond their culinary uses, chili peppers have long been associated with potential health benefits. The compound responsible for their spiciness, capsaicin, is believed to have pain-relieving properties and may help to aid in digestion.
Capsaicin is also known to stimulate the release of endorphins, which can create a sense of pleasure and euphoria, earning chili peppers a place in the realm of comfort foods, sort of.
The chili pepper's journey from its ancient origins to its modern-day popularity is a testament to its flavor and versatility. Whether adding a dash of heat to a classic dish or pushing the boundaries of spiciness in culinary creations, the chili pepper's fiery legacy continues to burn in all the right places, just make sure to wash your hands before going to the bathroom.
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I'm a wimp where spiciness is concerned but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a slight bit of heat. I cannot imagine what our diet would be like without hot peppers.
Good call on the wash-hands-before-bathroom bit. Yikes! I know that feeling all too well.
And, it's a wonder you ever trusted any other humans after young Brian's face got burned off! What a horrible neighbor.