What Is It?
Chili peppers are the fruit of the Capsicum plant, related to bell peppers and funnily enough, tomatoes! There are many varieties with a range of heat levels, such as the more common Serrano and Jalapeño peppers. Primarily used worldwide to spice up foods, they can be used fresh, dried, powdered etc.
Where To Find It?
Grocery stores and spice markets readily stock chili peppers in all forms.
- Look for fresh peppers in the produce section.
- You can find the dried and powdered forms of chili peppers in the spice section.
- For more exotic peppers, you may have to go online (savoryspiceshop.com, spicewalla.com or amazon.com).
There are many varieties of chilies, with varying properties. Know your peppers before you use them. Here’s a quick guide to the heat levels of different types of peppers.
Health Benefits
- Capsaicin, the main bioactive plant compound in chili peppers, is a rich antioxidant.
- Boost your metabolism with chili peppers!
- Chili peppers are also associated with anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
- Chili peppers provide pain relief and even help with heartburn.
- Reduces risk of heart disease and cancer.
- As if all that is not enough, people who eat chili peppers regularly, may live longer!
For further reading, here’s the Healthline article with all of the health benefits.
Culinary Uses
Every cuisine has a heat element to spice up food – either in a subtle way or as a dominant flavor.
- The most obvious use of chili peppers in food is to add spice and heat. Especially popular in Indian, Mexican, Asian, Spanish and Middle eastern cuisines. From curries to paella, the choice of chili pepper makes the dish!
- Artisan chocolatiers have been combining chocolate with chili peppers to add an extra zing to their sweets!
- Mexican hot chocolate uses the smokier ancho chili powder for an added level of complexity!
- Jalapeno poppers, anyone?
For more on types of chilies and how to use them in your cooking, here’s an article from Harvest To Table. Spice it up!