Chili peppers are originally from South America, but they have been cultivated by humans for over 5,000 years. Historically, they have been used medicinally to treat ailments ranging from sore throats to hangovers. Hot peppers are popular, but not all peppers are hot. Heat levels range from mild bell, banana and poblano, to hot jalapeño and cayenne, to super hot varieties such as Carolina Reapers. Peppers are actually fruits, and they are a good source of vitamin C (especially the red bell pepper). Most peppers have capsaicin – although bell peppers do not – which provides numerous health benefits. Buy peppers with a glossy sheen and no wrinkles on their skin. They can be stored in a produce bag in the fridge or frozen after removing their stems and seeds.
Key Takeaways:
- Historically, peppers have been used to treat various ailments ranging from asthma to hangovers.
- The distinction between sweet and hot peppers isn’t clear cut, and some peppers cross-pollinate.
- Peppers can be stuffed, used in stir fries and spreads, and eaten raw in salads.
“As you might expect from such a colorful family of fruits, sweet and hot peppers are nutritional powerhouses.”
Read more: https://foodrevolution.org/blog/sweet-and-hot-pepper-benefits/
