Chili Pepper

The chili pepper belongs to the Solanaceae family and the Capsicum family. It arrived on the old continent in the early 1500s, brought in the holds of Columbus' caravels, from the Americas where it was called Chili, a name it still retains today. It was soon used in cooking for its flavoring properties. The chili pepper was discovered by Europeans in Central America at the end of the 15th century; it was the only spice used, for a very long time, by the Indians of Chile and Mexico. Introduced into Europe by the Spaniards, it quickly spread throughout the southern regions, as well as Africa and Asia. Currently, it occupies an important place in the diet of all the peoples of Mediterranean and tropical countries.