Peppers - Fresh from the Garden

Peppers, Peppers... [So HOT!]
Get acquainted (carefully) with Petra.

Holy Mole, Batman! That little red gadget packs some serious heat!

Actually, peppers range in heat from sweet (no heat) to ... well, extremely hot! Heat is measured in units called Scoville Heat Units on a scale of 1 - 10. The scale measures the amount of capsaicin present in a diluted pepper extract. Bell peppers score "0" on the Scoville scale, while Ancho Grande, the pepper used in a traditional mole sauce, is actually rather mild — just "2". Jalapenos come in at "4," Serranos "5," and the legendary Habanero tops the list with a "9" to "10." The currently reigning "world's hottest pepper" is the Naga Jolokia, also known as Bhut Jolokia.

Peppers are native to Central and South America. Historical evidence shows that wild chilis were being eaten in Mexico 9000 years ago.

Christopher Columbus is thought to have taken pepper plants back to Europe, where they spread quickly. When you're hot, you're hot!

In addition to their use as a food, peppers are also often used in decoration (wreaths, colorful additions to a garlic braid, and the classic ristra of the American Southwest) and as medicine. In India, the combination of chili pepper and lime is believed to ward off evil spirits. Pepper spray? Hope you've never personally experienced it, but yes, that's one more modern use of this versatile plant.

Peppers are loaded with both Vitamin C and carotene. (As if you needed a reason to add them to your roster of most fave healthy foods!)

Capsaicin, the active ingredient in pepper, is well-known for its use as a topical pain reliever. It works, in part, by stimulating circulation to the area where it's been applied. It's also commonly used to improve digestion, increase metabolism, and to benefit the circulatory system by reducing blood cholesterol and triglycerides. It may also prevent the formation of blood clots. Capsaicin stimulates the mucus membranes of the nose, making it a likely candidate for reducing discomfort from the common cold.

Peppers are generally regarded as a warming food.

Please see your health provider for guidance on your own health program.

Warning: When working with hot peppers (jalapenos, serranos, etc) in the kitchen, protect your hands with a disposible vinyl glove or something of that nature. Capsaicin irritates the skin and delicate body parts, for example the eyes. (Pepper spray - remember?)

Some people like to eat hot peppers straight ... but you'll see them most frequently as part of another dish. Hot pepper is common in Asian and Indian cuisines, which are frequently served with rice. Rice will "tone down" the pepper if it seems too hot. Besides rice, you can dilute heat with dairy products (yogurt, milk, or cheese) or cucumber.

Pepper — Tip: To decrease the heat of hot peppers before adding them to your dish, slice the pepper lengthwise and remove the seeds and pith (membrane the seeds attach to). Most of the heat comes from the pith.