Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum chinense, Capsicum pubescens, Capsicum baccatum… these are just some of the scientific names given to our gold old fashion hot and spicy red hot chili pepper.
Cultivated in America well before Columbus discovered this zesty vegetable and introduced it to the rest of Spain, red chili peppers are not only used for culinary purposes, but for decoration, to ward off evil spirits, as medicinal remedies, both personal and crop defense, as well as for providing the body with powerful antioxidants in the form of Vitamin C and carotene. Just like most red and orange colored foods from Mother Nature’s kitchen, chili peppers are great for getting the blood flowing in our bodies, and are even often symbolic of ‘spicy’ attitude a well. Red hot chili peppers are also good for lounging around in. Well, not in the literal sense unless you have a pepper fetish, but in the hot-print-on-my-cool-pajama-pants sense. With less than two yards of jalapenio or habinero fabric, a fun coordinated pant and shirt set are born.
So whether putting it in your rice dish, hanging overtop your front door, or simply cutting it out and creating funky gift items, home accent pieces , or comfy childrens play wear, red chili peppers never seem to go out of season as long as there is a reason!
