Pepper seasoningWhy are they so different?Yes, simply because these are completely different plants. Capsicum (Carsicum) is a plant of the Solanaceae family. Its homeland is Central America. And black pepper (Piрer nigrum) comes from India. It is a liana that forms inflorescences-brushes, similar to bunches of grapes. On each bunch up to 50 small green balls grow. They are dried without peeling the pulp, and we get the black peas familiar to us. In general, besides them, there are many other types of peppers and pseudo-peppers, green and white, gray and brown, but our story is only about red capsicums. Red peppers have many varieties, up to fifty. But most often only three of them are used, differing in pungency: hot-hot cayenne, red capsicum, and completely non-hot sweet bell pepper, called paprika. Hot peppers are often grouped under the name "chili". What determines the hotness of peppers? From capsaicin. This is an alkaloid, named after the Latin name of peppers - capsicum. Alkaloids are powerful biologically active substances. Among them are caffeine, cocaine, strychnine. Capsaicin is in this series, and thanks to it, peppers are so popular.
The heat of peppers is measured in Scoville units.This unit of measurement was proposed in 1911 by the German chemist Wilbur Scoville. The pungency of capsaicin is taken as 16 million Scovilles. Paprika has a pungency of zero, and the hottest red peppers have about 850 thousand Scovilles. In addition to capsaicin, pepper contains coloring agents, vitamins, and oils. Pepper contains even more vitamin C than lemon, orange, and strawberry. Pepper is rich in trace elements such as iron, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. First of all, pepper is used to add pungency, spiciness, and a unique freshness to dishes. Pepper significantly activates digestion, increases the secretion of gastric juice, and improves liver function. Paprika is also used on its own, as a vegetable. Hot pepper is the basis of the spicy mixture "curry", some types of ketchup, and tomato sauces for canned fish. As a spice, it is often added to soups, especially to kharcho soup, and also to Ukrainian borscht. It is used to season fish, meat, sausages. What's more, even the simplest pasta is ennobled in combination with red pepper. It has gotten to the point that some countries have begun to produce ice cream with the addition of red pepper. And of course, it is good with . It is interesting that in southern countries, as well as in the south of our country, pepper is used much more willingly than in the north. And this is no accident - in the heat, peppered food is preserved longer, since pepper suppresses the activity of microorganisms. Useful pungency
It's time to talk about the healing properties of pepper. Chili pepper normalizes the brain, heals some benign tumors, atherosclerosis. It helps with bronchial asthma, reduces allergic reactions. They treat cough and sore throat, prevent the flu. It is well-known to use pepper in ointments and patches as a distracting, warming and anesthetic for radiculitis, arthritis, neuralgia and rheumatic pain. Capsaicin lowers blood pressure and dilutes the blood, preventing the formation of blood clots. Comparatively new is the use of pepper for the restoration of hair follicles and getting rid of dandruff. However, any nutritionist will advise patients to exclude from the diet of acute dishes. But it's sick. And you can be healthy. By the way, think, is not it because healthy people are healthy that they love pepper?
