12 Facts You Need to Know About Chili

1. Chili belongs to the species capsicum and the family potatoes. Chili fruits are thin-walled, most are long and narrow, and they are hot in taste. They are used fresh, dried or pickled.

2. The primarily causes of the peppers heat is the chemical capsaicin. It is found in the placenta tissue and walls. If you remove parts of them away reduces the strength.

If you are interested in growing peppers have a look at my short guide: Trendy to grow chili peppers.

3. Peppers heat is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Mild varieties have approximately 1000 SHU and very hot varieties around 300 000 SHU. Hottest of them all is the Carolina Reaper. It has been measured to 2.2 million SHU. Where it comes to taste, beware… And handle it with plastic gloves!

4. Chili can be used in a variety of dishes and salads. The most famous chili pepper dish is, of course, chili con carne… And other dishes with ground beef chilies are perhaps most suitable. Chili is also a given element of the kebab and topping on pizzas.

5. Chili was already cultivated for more than 6000 years ago. This according archaeological findings in south-west Ecuador.

6. The world's largest producers of chili are China and India. They account for 50 percent of world trade.

7. Chili contains several beneficial substances. Among other things, potassium, magnesium, iron, vitamin C and vitamin B, especially vitamin B6. The red chili also contains a high content of carotene that helps the skin to protect against the sun. Chili can, according to an American study contribute to the fat burning increases.

8. Some most commonly used peppers are jalapeno, hot pepper, and habanero.

9. The smaller, the stronger. This rule, generally, applies to peppers. Red is stronger than green.

10. If there is a fire in the throat of the too-hot chili is milk or yogurt most effective thirst quencher. Water is not recommended. The strong capsaicin chemical is not water-soluble, and water therefore helps to alleviate the burning sensation. Bread is one of the better things to eat to reduce the heat.

11. Two-thirds of the world population uses chili daily, either as vegetable or as spice.

12. Birds are not so sensitive to the strong chili taste. Pieces of chili peppers cells can therefore be put in bird seed to keep unwelcome guests away from the bird feeder, such as squirrels.

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