|
Capsicum annuum
Although the species name annuum means “annual” (from the Latin
annus “year”), the plant is not an annual and in the absence of
winter frosts can survive several seasons and grow into a large
perennial shrub. The single flowers are an off-white (sometimes
purplish) color whilst the stem is densely branched and up to 60
centimetres (24 in) tall. When ripe, the fruit may be green, yellow
or red. Whilst the species can tolerate most climates, C. annuum is
especially productive in warm and dry climates.
Uses
Culinary
The species is a source of popular sweet peppers and hot chilis
with numerous varieties cultivated all around the world. In American
English the plant is commonly known as a chili pepper or bell
pepper.
In British English, the sweet varieties are called red or green
peppers and the hot varieties chillies, whereas in Australian and
Indian English the name capsicum is commonly used for bell peppers
exclusively and chilli is often used to encompass the hotter
varieties.
Sweet peppers are very often used as a bulking agent in cheap
ready made meals/take-away food as they are cheap, have a strong
flavour, and are colorful. The colorful aspect of peppers increases
the visual appeal of the food, making it more appetizing. Foods
containing peppers, especially chili peppers, often have a strong
aftertaste this is due to the presence of capsinoids in peppers.
Capsaicin, a chemical found in chili peppers, creates a burning
sensation once ingested which can last for several hours after
ingestion.
Medicinal
Hot peppers are used in medicine as well as food in Africa and
other countries.
English botanist John Lindley described C. annuum on page 509 of
his 1838 'Flora Medica' thus:
“ It is employed in medicine, in combination with Cinchona in
intermittent and lethargic affections, and also in atonic gout,
dyspepsia accompanied by flatulence, tympanitis, paralysis etc. Its
most valuable application appears however to be in cynanche maligna
(acute diptheria) and scarlatina maligna (malignent Scarlet fever,
used either as a gargle or administered internally. ”
In ayurvedic medicine, C. annuum is classified as follows:
Gunna (properties) – ruksh (dry), laghu (light) and tikshan
(sharp)
Rasa dhatu (taste) – katu (pungent)
Virya (potency) – ushan (hot)
It is considered efficacious for a wide variety of symptoms
including sore throat and fever.
Ornamental
Some cultivars grown specifically for their aesthetic value
include the U.S. National Arboretum's Black Pearl and the Bolivian
Rainbow. Ornamental varieties tend to have unusually coloured fruit
and foliage with colurs such as black and purple being notable. All
are edible, and most (like Royal Black) are mild. Ornamental
chillies are also generally more susceptible to disease and adverse
weather conditions owing to their extravagant nature and genetic
modification specifically for appearance. |
