[CH] Spices & hot countries, pepper ID
Paul Richards (paular@zoo.co.uk)
Thu, 23 Jul 1998 17:34:30 +0000
Bit late on this thread, but wasn't it the Spanish or Portugese who after
"discovering" them in the Americas, introduced Chiles to the Asian
countries? I know that the Thai's used large quantities of black pepper in
their food before chiles were available. Supposedly the use of hot spices
was to cool the body down.
Thing I don't understand,is why the Spanish didn't attempt to introduce
them to Europe? Although having said that, the Spaniards grow a variety of
mild chiles, & the Italians use chiles, the Hungarians grow Paprika. Hmm.
So I guess what I was saying, is why didn't they get to the UK?
On a differnt topic, has anyone heard of or encountered "Bengali Naga"
peppers? They are as hot as any Habenero I've yet tried. They are sold
green (it strikes me that Indians don't like to use fresh red chiles),
although the shop where I bought them have a cheap basket of ones that are
turning orange. They have thin stems like a hab, but the fruit is more
narrow & elongated. The aroma is familiar & fruity but the heat leaves your
mouth numb. The same shop sells what appear to be small plants of this
variety - & they look more like an ordinary chile plant, lacking the wide
leaves of a Habenero. Also got a jar of these peppers in crushed form. It's
a bright green paste with seeds visible, & the only other ingredients are
lemon juice, vinegar & salt. I am waiting to try them as soon as I have
emptied the fridge of hot sauces & marinades (my flat mates moan at the
space they take up!)
T'ra
Paul