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Chili is a familiar name for the hottest of all types of pepper. Among the Aztecs, the word "chili" means a color - red. Therefore, we can safely say that red pepper and chili denote the same species. Chilli is an annual herb 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 pungency of chili peppers does not depend on the color of the fruit, which can be not only red, but also green, yellow, orange, black. Only the high percentage of the pungent alkaloid capsaicin is what makes the chili pepper hot. He is considered the most burning, sharpest and brightest among his fellows.
Chili Pepper Properties
Admirers of this species are lovers of spicy food. Those who prefer milder foods or have health problems treat it with some degree of caution. Among the useful properties of hot peppers, it is worth highlighting:
- The presence of capsaicin... In moderate amounts, this component stimulates the production of mucus in the body. This helps to protect the mucous membranes, normalize the digestive processes. It raises the defenses well in winter, in Asian countries it serves as a reliable means of preventing poisoning.
- Plenty of vitamins and nutrients... Correct use of a spicy product will help maintain a supply of nutrients, especially in the off-season. It is considered the record holder for the content of ascorbic acid.
- Hot peppers help to reduce the amount of salt consumed... After all, salt interrupts the spicy taste that hot chili peppers give dishes. Recent research by scientists confirms the benefits of using the product for patients with diabetes mellitus. But, you can include a spicy supplement in your diet only after consulting a doctor.
In addition, like any product, the use of chili peppers has a negative side:
- Diseases of the digestive tract, kidneys are the reason to give up the spicy taste of pepper. It will not harm a healthy body, but in case of violations, you should be careful.
- Be sure to be very careful when eating and preparing food. If pepper juice gets on the mucous membrane of the eye, 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 the famous vegetable
Among the most famous are the following varieties of chili peppers:
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. Mostly the berries are used in dried form. In addition to cooking, they are widely used in cosmetology.
Jalapeno variety
Green chili pepper. The fruits are usually harvested before they are ripe, but have reached a length of 8 cm. It is considered the smallest of the chili varieties. Green peppercorns have much better qualities than red ones, so jalapenos are not allowed to ripen to the end. Refers to medium hot peppers. If a softer taste is needed, then the seeds are removed and only the pulp of the berries is used in the dishes. It is the chili seeds that give the cultivar a spice. It is often used for the preparation of medicinal tinctures.
Serrano variety
It also has the original shape of the fruit - they resemble a bullet, have a very small size - only 4 cm. The pods are light green at first, and turn red as they ripen. Thin partitions inside the pods reduce the pungency of the pepper, so it is more commonly used in cooking. To further reduce the pungency of the variety, partitions and seeds should be removed.
Poblano variety
Not the hottest chili. The fruits are dark green in color and heart-shaped with a flattened tip. In ripe ripeness, they acquire a dark red hue, but it is the green berries that are used more. The not very hot taste allows the peppers to be used for stuffing. Suitable for canning and freezing.
Pasilla variety
It has a smoky mild aroma and pleasant taste, which is used in cooking. With its addition, various sauces, seasonings, marinades are prepared. The moderate pungency 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 is its large berry size. The low 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 hobbyists get a good harvest on the windowsill, at home, in the garden bed and under a film cover. The seeds of the culture must be germinated, otherwise you will have to wait for seedlings for a long time - for some varieties, about a month. 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 moisture, temperature of the soil and the environment. Bitter and sweet peppers belong to the nightshade family, so the cultivation technique is very similar to caring for tomatoes. The main thing is not to forget that he loves loose fertile soil, good illumination, warmth and sufficient air. But it does not tolerate:
- intense heat;
- when water stagnates on the ground;
- low temperature and frost;
- contact of water on leaves and fruits.
Considering these nuances, then growing a bitter vegetable will not be problematic. With the help of the description and photo, you can pick up chili peppers 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 passes into dishes when pepper is added. The size of the pods is 3 cm. The bush is large, up to 90 cm high. The fruits are usually harvested with gloves so as not to injure the mucous membrane or skin of the hands. The color of the chili fruit is found in both yellow and orange. Grown in seedlings, the plant is fruitful, beautiful and quite unpretentious. But you still have to follow the basic rules of agricultural technology.
Jalapeno
Bitter pepper, 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 appeal. Good for salads and appetizers due to its moderate pungency. It grows better indoors and on a windowsill, green pods are used - they are considered to be of better quality. The peculiarity of the variety is that it can be grown as a perennial. In winter, it tolerates cool temperatures well (16-20 ° C), and in summer it returns to the garden again. The only spicy variety with thick fruit walls. Pepper is stuffed, baked, pickled.
Serrano
The variety is very similar to Jalapeno, which creates a little difficulty for novice gardeners. Fruits are thick-walled and juicy, similar in taste and pungency. The main differences between Serrano:
- taller bush with dark foliage;
- better productivity;
- less cracking of fruits.
A good root system allows the plant to tolerate drought. It grows well under a film cover, and in the open field it requires protection during a cold snap.
Anaheim
Mid-season hot pepper. The crop can be harvested in 90 days. Well leafy bush without numerous lateral shoots. This greatly facilitates the care of the plant and creates good conditions for lighting large fruits. Grown in seedlings. Seedlings dive in the phase of two leaves. A week before planting, it is recommended to feed the seedlings with complex mineral fertilizer. They are planted only with a stable temperature regime - the variety does not tolerate frost.
Such little-known varieties for domestic gardeners as Fresno, Banana, Cayenne, Poblano... You should definitely try growing one of these wonderful chili peppers at least once for this vegetable to become a favorite of the whole family.
