Chili Peppers
Why Do We Have Black Pepper and Chili Peppers? Is There a Connection? Yes — World Conquest, Wishful Thinking and False Advertising
Why is it that we have two distinct kinds of pepper or peppers?
One the one hand it the all-important black flakes that appear with every meal from the fanciest 5-star restaurants down to the greasy burgers and fries in a take-out bag.
On the other is the entire family of pepper pods — that range from the sweet bell peppers to the incendiary habaneroes.
Why are these two completely different foods both called “pepper?”
Actually, it’s not a random coincidence and the answer is more interesting than you might imagine.
The History of Pepper
Okay, it’s not as interesting as this weeks CSI or Brad and Jennifer’s weekly drama — but it is a fascinating story (especially if you are a foodie. Or geek.)
The story of the naming of peppers (the pod kind) is one of global conquest, wishful thinking and false advertising.
To understand this you must know about the history of pepper (the black powder kind.)
Black Pepper was the First World-wide Commodity
Black pepper originated in the mountains of Southern India and made it’s way to Europe almost 2,000 years ago.
Europeans very quickly fell madly in love with the taste. So great was the love and desire for the spice, that entire cities were built with the money that changed hands as it traveled the spice-route from India to Europe. Family fortunes were created that are still around today.
And new worlds were discovered looking for faster, cheaper ways to get the goods to the consumers. Columbus was looking for a route to India when he bumped headlong into the Americas.
Which is where he discovered…
No Pepper
Pepper does not grow native in the New World. But several plants unknown to the Old World do. Tomatoes, Chocolate, Corn and, of course, peppers.
Okay, that’s the world conquest and wishful thinking part. Now comes the false advertising. When Chris and the explorers that came after 1492 didn’t find pepper (the black powder kind) to take back to Europe, the decided to do the next best thing — sorta. They dried pods of the native plants (the pepper pods — are you still with me?) and called it “Jamaican Pepper.”
It makes sense from a financial point of view — they couldn’t go home empty handed — and a bit from a culinary point of view — both powders are hot to the taste.
Well, the name stuck and eventually the name came to mean the plant and the fresh pod, not just the powder.
They are more properly called “Chilies”, by the way.
About the Author
I hope you enjoyed those facts. I am AW Thomas and I love hot foods and spicy cooking.
If you do too, check out my new website and find yourself a really cool Hanging Spice Rack for your kitchen. Yes, it’s all about the kitchen spice rack. There is more to them than you think and choosing the right design for your kitchen and your style of cooking can turn a dreaded task into a daily pleasure.
Okay, maybe that’s a bit much — but really, check out the cool designs and the best offers today.
http://kitchenspicerack.org/Hanging-Spice-Rack.html
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Under The Bridge (Video)
|
|
4 TIX Red Hot Chili Peppers 10/27 Sprint Center Sect-108 $593.00 |
|
|
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS/Ltd Edition Cd Display/COA/BLOOD $63.20 |
|
|
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS/Ltd Edition Cd Display/COA/CALIFO $63.20 |
|
|
Red Hot Chili Peppers The Adventures Of Raindance Maggie RARE promo acetate CD $7.00 |
|
|
Worlds Hottest Chili Pepper – 2,009,231 SHU Trinidad Moruga Scorpion – 5 Seeds $7.09 |
|
|
Red Chili Peppers Black background Light Switch Plate and Outlet Set $5.00 |
|
|
Headwrap Doo Rags CHILI PEPPER & Black Bikers Motorcycle Head Gear MADE USA $16.99 |
|
|
Headwrap Doo Rags CHILI PEPPERS VENTED Bikers Motorcycle Head Gear MADE USA $19.99 |
|
|
Sterling Silver Chili Pepper Drop Earrings $55.99 |
|
|
Sterling Silver Chili Pepper Pendant $64.99 |
|
|
Red Hot Chili Peppers Rock Music Band Tattoo T-SHIRT Sz.S $14.99 |
|
|
String of Pottery Long Red Chili Peppers Kitchen Restaurant Decor Burgundy Red $44.99 |
|
|
EARLY R&B 45 – THE CHILI PEPPERS – DON’T SAY GOODNIGHT! $19.99 |
|
|
Red Hot Chili Peppers Rock Music Band Tattoo T-SHIRT Sz.M $14.99 |
|
|
Red Hot Chili Peppers Rock Music Band Tattoo T-SHIRT Sz.L $14.99 |
|
|
Red Hot Chili Peppers Rock Music Band Tattoo T-SHIRT Sz.XL $14.99 |
|
|
2 TIX 8/12 Red Hot Chili Peppers 321 Staples Center $219.00 |
|
|
2 TIX 9/23 Red Hot Chili Peppers L13 Valley View Casino Center $333.00 |
|
|
2 TIX 10/4 Red Hot Chili Peppers 107 New Orleans Arena $299.00 |
|
|
2 TIX 10/4 Red Hot Chili Peppers 103 New Orleans Arena $299.00 |
|
|
2 TIX 9/23 Red Hot Chili Peppers LL13 Valley View Casino Center $409.00 |
|
|
2 TIX 10/4 Red Hot Chili Peppers 331 New Orleans Arena $299.00 |
|
|
Hal Leonard Red Hot Chili Peppers Blood Sugar Sex Magik Tab Songbo Standard $12.00 |
|
|
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS I’M WITH YOU 180 GRAM DOUBLE GATEFOLD LP SEALED $31.99 |
|
|
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS STADIUM ARCADIUM JAPAN 2CD OBI W2224 $5.99 |
|
|
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS BEST BAND SCORE JAPAN GUITAR TAB $18.00 |
|
|
KEEN MENS A86 TR BLACK/CHILI PEPPER SIZE 11 $90.00 |
|
|
KEEN MENS A86 TR BLACK/CHILI PEPPER SIZE 11.5 $90.00 |
|
|
Red Hot Chili Peppers Mothers Milk US Promo LP $29.99 |
|
|
2 TIX Red Hot Chili Peppers Sec: 113 Row:F 9/25 Jobing.com Arena $195.00 |
|
|
4 TIX Red Hot Chili Peppers 10/2 American Airlines Center $435.00 |
|
|
Red Hot Chili Peppers – By The Way (CD 2002) BARGAIN!! FREE!! UK 24-HR POST!! $5.52 |
|
|
Hal Leonard Red Hot Chili Peppers Bass Tab Book $19.95 |
|
|
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS by the way CD 16 track (9362481402) german warner bros 200 $11.05 |
|
|
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS dani california CD 1 track album version promo in special $11.05 |
|
|
Corelle Hearthstone Chili Red 4-Piece Canister Set $36.69 7.5 x 6 x 6″, Canister can hold up to 85 ounces 6.75 x 5.25 x 5.25″, Canister can hold up to 50 ounces 5.75 x 5 x 5″, Canister can hold up to 28 ounces 4.6 x 4 x 4″, Canister can hold up to 13 ounces… |
|
|
Lodge 2-Piece Hot Handle Holder Set, Red Pepper $5.99 One of the perks to using Lodge’s cast iron cookware is its superior heat retention. Unfortunately, that heat travels from the pan all the way up the handle, so indoor chefs and campfire cooks need to protect their hands. Lodge’s two-piece handle holder set comes with two festive black-and-red chili-pepper-printed mitts that slide right over pan handles. The exteriors are cozy cotton while silicon… |
|
|
Frontier Chili Peppers Crushed, Red Chili Flakes Certified Organic, 16 Ounce Bag $13.25 USDA Organic Certified Organic Capsicum Annuum Non-Irradiated Certified Organic by QAI Intriguing, powerful personalities, chili peppers come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, tastes, aromas, and potency. Universally popular, they’re enjoyed for their ability to perk up virtually any dish!… |
|
|
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Greatest Hits $5.41 RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS GREATEST HITS… |
|
|
I’m With You $8.31 RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS I`M WITH YOU… |
|
|
Californication $5.22 Reunited with producer Rick Rubin and guitarist John Frusciante (both of whom were on board for the 1991′s breakthrough Blood Sugar Sex Magik), the Chili Peppers waste no time in burying their last effort, the so-so One Hot Minute. Californication’s kickoff cut, “Around the World,” swaggers around the room, reacquainting itself with old fans and welcoming new ones. Fuzzy Hendrix vibes and popcorn … |
|
|
Psychedelic Sexfunk-Live From Heaven [VHS] $14.98 … |
|
|
Positive Mental [VHS] $14.98 … |
|
|
Best Of The Cutting Edge Volume II [VHS] $19.98 … |
|
|
Sival 62320 – 35 Light 13.5 Green Wire Red Chili Pepper $12.74 35 Light 13.5″ Red Chili Pepper Christmas Holiday Light Bulb Set… |