All About Hot Chillis!

Originating in Mexico and South Americas, Chillis are now grown throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, from mediterranean Europe, the Middle East and Africa, to South Asian countries such as India and Pakistan, through to Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and other South East Asian countries, the Pacific Islands and the north of New Zealand, and are therefore now adopted and cultivated by a large proportion of the worlds populations.

While a mother in India is hoping to break the record for eating the most chillis in two minutes by eating 51, the award for the hottest chilli sauce may still go to a manufacturer in America... it is made by a distilling process of tonnes of chilli peppers.

Chilli pepper doesn't actually burn skin, but sends signals to the human brain giving the sensation of burning. Chilli has medicinal purposes and there is research going on about its potential for therapeutic use for sufferers of pain. It is also useful for the relief of flu symptoms, and to help lower blood sugar levels after eating a meal. Having said all these good things, I have heard eating too much may not be good for the delicate lining of the stomach. It's best to avoid chillis in powdered form (chilli powder) also, as it may have been mixed with some other additives that are not good for health.

Chillis are also used in India to ward off evil spirits, where the chillis are mixed with vinegar as part of a ceremony.

In it's purest form, Capsaicin is a white powder, produced under lab conditions, with protective clothing and respiratory apparatus required.

Sources: 'Hottest Chilli Sauce Launched' BBC News website, Could Chilli Peppers Relieve Pain? BBC News Website 30/6/2006, Indian in record chilli attempt