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Chili pepper is a familiar name for many of the hottest types of pepper. Among the Aztecs, the word “chili” means the color red. Therefore, we can safely say that red pepper and chili refer to the same species. Chilli chilli is an annual herbaceous plant with a bush height of up to 65 cm.
The fruits are berries of various shapes and sizes:
- oblong or long-fruited;
- round (cherry);
- small-fruited.
There are also several varieties of chili peppers. Each has its own aroma and degree of pungency. The spiciness of chili peppers does not depend on the color of the fruit, which can be not only red, but also green, yellow, orange, and black. Only the high percentage of the hot alkaloid capsaicin gives chili peppers its special spiciness. It is considered the hottest, the sharpest and the brightest among its fellows.
Properties of chili pepper
Fans of this species are lovers of spicy food. Those who prefer milder dishes or have health problems approach it with some degree of caution. Among the beneficial properties of hot pepper, it is worth highlighting:
- Presence of capsaicin. In moderate quantities, this component stimulates the production of mucus in the body. This helps protect mucous membranes and normalize digestive processes.It improves the defenses well in winter; in Asian countries it serves as a reliable means of preventing poisoning.
- Large amount of vitamins and nutrients. Proper consumption of a spicy product will help maintain a supply of nutrients, especially in the off-season. It is considered the record holder for ascorbic acid content.
- Hot peppers help reduce the amount of salt consumed. After all, salt interrupts the piquant taste that hot chili pepper gives to dishes. Recent research by scientists confirms the benefits of using the product for patients with diabetes. But, you can include a spicy supplement in your diet only after consulting a doctor.
In addition, like any product, eating chili peppers has a negative side:
- Diseases of the digestive tract and kidneys are the reason to refuse the spicy taste of pepper. It will not cause harm to a healthy body, but in case of violations you should be careful.
- You will definitely have to be very careful when eating and preparing food. If pepper juice gets on the mucous membranes of the eyes, it can lead to very unpleasant consequences.
In other cases, hot chili peppers are a welcome guest on the table of lovers of Mexican and Latin American cuisine.
Types of famous vegetables
Among the most famous are the following varieties of chili pepper:
Habanero variety
A popular variety with heart-shaped fruits. The pods are found mainly in orange or red, but there are interesting exceptions - white, pink. Habanero lovers note the unusual floral aroma of the variety. The sharpest part of the pods is the seeds. The berries are mainly used in dried form. In addition to cooking, they are widely used in cosmetology.
Jalapeño variety
Hot green chili pepper. The fruits are usually harvested while they are not ripe, but have reached a length of 8 cm. They are considered the smallest of the chili varieties. Green peppers have much better qualities than red ones, so the jalapenos are not allowed to ripen to the end. Refers to medium hot peppers. If you want a milder taste, then remove the seeds and use only the pulp of the berries in dishes. It is the seeds of the chili pepper that give the variety its spiciness. Often used to prepare medicinal tinctures.
Serrano variety
It also has an original fruit shape - they resemble a bullet and are very small in size - only 4 cm. The pods are initially light green, and as they ripen they become red. Thin walls inside the pods reduce the pungency of the pepper, which is why it is more often used in cooking. To further reduce the pungency of the variety, partitions and seeds should be removed.
Poblano variety
Not the hottest type of chili. The fruits are dark green in color and heart-shaped with a flattened tip. When ripe, they acquire a dark red hue, but it is the green berries that are used most. The not very hot taste allows you to use peppers for stuffing. Suitable for canning and freezing.
Pasilla variety
It has a smoky soft aroma and a pleasant taste, which is used in cooking. With its addition, various sauces, seasonings, and marinades are prepared. The medium heat level makes Pasilla peppers very popular.
Anaheim variety
The skin of the variety is green, which is a distinctive feature. The second quality that distinguishes Anaheim from the classic chili pepper is its large size of berries. The mild pungency of the pulp makes the variety very popular.
Main varieties
It will be very useful for gardeners to know that red and Green pepper chili is quite unpretentious to growing conditions. Many amateurs get a good harvest on the windowsill, at home, in the garden and under film cover. The seeds of the crop must be germinated, otherwise you will have to wait quite a long time for germination - about a month for some varieties. First, chili seeds are sown for seedlings, and then the plants are planted for permanent residence. To ensure good germination, you will have to monitor the humidity, temperature of the soil and the environment. Bitter and sweet peppers belong to the nightshade family, so cultivation techniques are very similar to caring for tomatoes. The main thing is not to forget that he loves loose, fertile soil, good lighting, warmth and sufficient air. But he can’t stand it:
- extreme heat;
- when water stagnates on the ground;
- low temperature and frost;
- water getting on leaves and fruits.
If you take these nuances into account, growing a bitter vegetable will not be problematic. Using the description and photo, you can choose a chili pepper according to your preferences and site capabilities.
"Habanero Orange"
A very spicy variety. Ripens 95-115 days after planting. Berries in the shape of a flashlight or heart. When dried, they have an apricot aroma, which transfers into dishes when pepper is added. The size of the pods is 3 cm. The bush is large and tall, up to 90 cm high. The fruits are usually collected with gloves so as not to injure the mucous membranes or skin of the hands. The color of chili fruits is found in both yellow and orange. Grown by seedlings, the plant is productive, beautiful and quite unpretentious. But you still have to follow the basic rules of agricultural technology.
"JALAPENO"
The pepper is bitter, blooms very profusely, but sheds many flowers. Fruits with a blunt tip, up to 8 cm long and weighing up to 50 g. It blooms early, however, the pods do not change their dark green color to the usual red for a long time. The spectacular appearance of the bush and pods gives the variety a special attractiveness. Good for salads and appetizers due to its moderate spiciness. It grows better indoors and on a windowsill; green pods are used - they are considered to be of higher quality. The peculiarity of the variety is that it can be grown as a perennial. In winter it tolerates cool temperatures (16-20°C) well, and in summer it returns to the garden bed. The only spicy variety with thick fruit walls. Peppers are stuffed, baked, pickled.
"Serrano"
The variety is very similar to Jalapeño, which creates a little difficulty for beginning gardeners. The fruits are thick-walled and juicy, similar in taste and pungency. The main differences between Serrano:
- taller bush with dark foliage;
- better yield;
- less cracking of fruits.
The variety's good root system allows the plant to tolerate drought. It grows well under film cover, and in open ground requires protection during cold weather.
"Anaheim"
Mid-season variety of hot pepper. The harvest can be harvested after 90 days. The bush is well leafy without numerous side shoots. This greatly facilitates plant care and creates good conditions for lighting large fruits. Grown by seedlings. Seedlings dive in the phase of two leaves. A week before planting, it is recommended to feed the seedlings with complex mineral fertilizer. Planted only under stable temperature conditions - the variety does not tolerate frost.
Such varieties, little known to domestic gardeners as Fresno, Banana, Cayenne, Poblano. You should definitely try to grow one of the wonderful varieties of chili peppers at least once so that this vegetable becomes a favorite of the whole family.
