Chilly – Chili, Chile, Chilli, Chily, Mirchi, Chilli Pepper, Aji, Paprika
Chilly – An Important Ingredient used in Cuisines all over the World
Chilly is the most important spice used in the cuisine all over the world. There are around 400 varieties of chilly available all over the world but they differ in size, shape and colors. Fresh chillies as well as dried chillies are used as ingredients in recipes. The dried red chillies are crushed and grounded to prepare chilly powder. The chilly powder is popular in food all over the world. The food seems to be very bland without chilly. In India, people are very much fond of pickles and pickles cannot be prepared without chilly. As chilly is consumed all over the world, it is called by different names in different languages and countries. The Americans followed the Spanish spelling ‘chile.’ Although its fruit is known as aji. However, it is also popular as chile in America. In European countries, chilly is known as Chili or Chilli. The climate in India was most favorable to cultivate chilly and so varieties of chilly are available in India. Chilly is the most important spice used in Indian food. Indian food cannot be imagined without red chilly powder. Although, chilly is also used in different cuisines like Italian food, Mexican food, Chinese food, French food and Japanese Food. Chilli is hot and stimulating with very less aroma when eaten. Chilli contains capsaicin, an alkaloid substance which makes chilli hot to taste. Majority of people in India love spicy food and so Chilly is more prevalent in India.
History of Chilly
It is believed that Chillies were used in Mexico since 7000 B.C. and were cultivated from 3500 B.C. Chilli was introduced to rest of the world in 1493 by Christopher Columbus as chile pepper. He took chile pepper back to Spain where it became a very famous spice. After that chilli became one of the most importance spice used in European cuisines. After the popularity of chilly in Portuguese also, it was introduced in India by Vasco-da-Gama in 1498. Chilli became extremely popular in India after that. Today, Indian cuisine cannot be even imagined without chilly also known as Mirchi in India. Chilli is also used in ayurveda, the traditional Indian medical system. According to ayurveda, chilli has many medicinal properties such as stimulating good digestion and endorphins, a natural pain killer to relieve pains.
Uses and Benefits of Chilly
It is a known fact that chilly has long been the favorite for spicing up hot dishes because of its spicy flavor. But it is to be emphasized that chilly has been used from thousands of years not only for its spicy flavor but also for its medicinal value. Since 1498, chillies have been included in Ayurvedic medicines and used as tonic to ward off many diseases. Chillies are also used for weight loss at is good for slimming down and it also helps in burning the calories easily. Chillies help to clear the lungs and stimulate the appetite as well as digestive system. If chilli is taken regularly it helps in maintaining one’s metabolism to a very high level which helps in weight loss as well as controlling levels of cholesterol. Chilli Peppers also dilate airway of lungs which reduces asthma and wheezing.
There are actually different varieties of chili available, each with their own unique flavor characteristics. It is a general belief that chilli is bad for stomach but the truth is completely different. Chilli is good for digestion and has been used in Indian ayurvedic medicines to cure disease. This is the reason of chili being a chief ingredient in cuisines such as Mexican, Indian, Thai and Italian food.
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