pepper is a plant known for the burning characteristic of its edible fruits. It is used in cooking around the world to add flavor and color to foods.
Pepper is cataloged in a botanical genus called c.apsicum. This category includes everything from the hottest peppers ever known to the sweetest and mildest species, such as peppers.
Origin and history of pepper
The first known record of the emergence of pepper took place in South and Central America. The fruit was consumed by the indigenous populations of these places. Although they first appeared in the Americas, peppers were taken to other countries and are currently cultivated and appreciated in the most diverse places and types of cuisine.
The first species of peppers that were known were the capsicum frutescens (South America) and the capsicum annuum (Central America).
Nowadays, the countries best known for the use of pepper in their cuisine are Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, India, Bhutan, Thailand and China.
There is a curious fact about the use of pepper: when they were discovered as culinary ingredients, in addition to being used to enhance flavor and color to dishes, peppers were also used as a method of preserving food, due to its ability to eliminate germs and bacteria.
Why are peppers burning?
Peppers are hot because they have a substance that, when ingested, acts directly on the nerve cells located on the tongue. This substance is called capsaicin and the greater the concentration, the greater the burning power of the pepper.
The hottest pepper in the world
Of all species known and registered until today, pepper Carolina Reaper (chinese capsicum) is considered the hottest pepper in the world.
Carolina Reaper is a pepper created from two other species. It emerged in the United States, by the hands of a pepper breeder, who joined two species well known for their ardor: Hut Jolokia and Habanero.
Carolina Reaper (capsicum chinense) - The hottest pepper in the world.
Scoville scale
The Scoville Scale is the form of measurement used to analyze and classify the stinging level of a pepper, called the pungency. The scale was named after its creator, American chemist Wilbur Lincoln Scoville (1865 - 1942).
To determine and classify the level of pungency of a pepper, it is necessary to calculate how many times it must be diluted in a solution of water with sugar so that it does not burn.
The scale uses the following measure of calculation: 1 cup of a pepper variety corresponds to the measurement of 1000 cups of sugar water solution. This proportion is used to classify peppers and corresponds to 1000 values on the Scoville Scale.
Example: the analysis of Carolina Reaper pepper has already reached approximately 1,500,000 to 2,200,000 values on the Scoville Scale.
Types of peppers
There are several species of peppers, with different origins and names, being approximately 30 large groups of pepper cataloged to this day.
However, the list of types of peppers grows frequently, as new species are always created from mixtures and experiments made by breeders.
Discover the names of some of the most consumed peppers in the world:
- bhut jolokia
- White
- pout
- cayenne
- cambuci
- chili
- cumari
- Allspice
- Goat Pepper
- Smelling pepper
- Black pepper
- Girl's Finger
- Sweet pepper
- fish pepper
- Habanero
- jalapeno
- chili pepper
- pink
- tabasco
the black pepper
Black pepper (piper nigrum) are one of the most popular and consumed peppers in the world. It comes in four different types: red, black, white and green.
But, there is a little known fact about it: black pepper, despite its name, is not a pepper of the genre capsicum, like the others. It's a seasoning that belongs to the genus piper.
Black pepper variety.
Benefits of consuming pepper
The habit of consuming pepper frequently can have several health benefits. Regular consumption of food can help relieve pain and inflammation, in addition to helping with nasal decongestion, improving symptoms of rhinitis and circulatory problems.
Pepper can also help stimulate metabolism, improve digestion, and lower blood cholesterol. Some studies also indicate that the habit of consuming pepper can help prevent cancer.
The consumption of pepper can also have mental health benefits, as it helps to increase the feeling of well-being and relieve anxiety. This is because pepper is able to release hormones that are linked to sensations that cause well-being.
Can pepper be bad?
The harm caused by pepper has to do with the amount consumed. Excessive peppers, especially the strong ones, can cause intestinal or stomach pain or irritation.
Consumption is also not suitable for people who suffer from ulcers and gastritis, as the burning of pepper can cause irritation, wounds and worsen the symptoms of these diseases.
See also the meaning of chipotle.