Geckogarys.com
Title
Gecko Gary's Hot Sauce Catalog
Description
Chile peppers are not members of the pepper family. Chile terminology is confusing: pepper, chili, chile, chilli, Aji, paprika and Capsicum are used interchangeable for "chile pepper" plants. Chile peppers are actually part of the Capsicum genus. The word Capsicum comes from the Greek language meaning "to bite." In Mexico, Central America and the Southwestern United States, it is referred to as a chile pepper.
Ancient South and Central American cultures new what prize they had in their chiles. The fiery peppers provided nutrients and added flavor and spice to their foods. The chiles also served as cooling agents in a hot climate. The capsaicin contained in the chiles invigorates the bloodstream by dilating the capillaries. This increases the flow of blood and perspiration which cools you off while your mouth is on fire.
Do you know there is a difference between Chile and Chili? The spelling version of Chili identifies the dish that is a combination of meat and pungent chile peppers. Bell peppers are considered non-pungent, sweet chile pepper types while "chile peppers" have come to mean the pungent chiles that Chile-heads love.
