Peter Piper’s Peppers

If you’ve spent time mulling over the problem of the number of pickled peppers in Peter Piper’s peck, according to Rebecca Rupp, the answer in jalapenos is something around 225. People are plain fascinated with peppers, or to be formal, Capsicum, from the Greek kapto, to bite, as indeed sampling many of the fruits will reveal. And hot or not, one in four people eat peppers every day, according to The Cambridge World History of Food.

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However, more chili peppers are produced and consumed than any other # in the world. In fact, they were being used as to # up otherwise bland foods in their native South America before even entering cultivation. Botanical archaeologists have dated use of wild-collected Capsicum to around 10,000 years ago, according to data recently published in the journal Science. Prior to this, researchers excavating Mexican cave dwellings have identified pepper seeds dating to 7000 B.C. The several species of Capsicum annuals, perennials and subshrubs then are a gift of the New World to the Old – joining tomatoes, beans, corn (maize), potatoes (both ‘white’ and sweet), chocolate, vanilla and an astonishing number of other foodstuffs and flavourings common to today’s international cuisines. And not only nutrition: As with so many other natural substances, hot peppers are being increasingly utilized in the search of better health. Some evidence suggests cayenne pepper may protect against ulcers caused by anti-inflammatory drugs and could also relieve cold symptoms, explained Karen Shideler from McClatchy-Tribune. Used externally, she adds, it can reduce pain from shingles and help with psoriasis and other skin conditions. The substance that causes this heat, called capsaicin, can be found as a cream in health food stores. Capsaicin causes pain by binding to a receptor on nerve cells and although it may hurt like hell at first, actually relieves pain. Nevertheless in India, the military have developed a “chilli grenade” based on the bhut jolokia pepper, or so Colonel R. Kalia, a defence spokesman for the northeastern state of Assam, claimed following “successful tests.” Closer to home, Canada Post mailmen carry a small spray can of repellant to ward off dogs. Similarly many a backwoods hiker has packed a precautionary bear spray containing capsaicin. Unfortunately criminals have taken to threatening victims with the same. In Manitoba this has become such a problem that the government requires retailers to keep a list of customers who purchase the potent spray and it must be kept locked away or hidden from public view. In her The New World’s Fair Cookbook and Housekeeper’s Companion (Toronto: 1891), Mrs. M. E. Porter noted under the heading “Hints to Housekeepers” that, “Cayenne pepper blown into the cracks where ants congregate will drive them away. The same remedy is also good for mice.” Today, many an insecticidal home brew recipe recommends hot pepper be added to the concoction. Those of practice such natural controls may have been beaten to the punch by birds. Gardeners around the world have noted sparrows and other of our feathered friends swiping Capsicum seedlings. Used to line nests, it apparently discourages the lice that would otherwise infest them. Alas, in the world of humans all is not as cooperative. In 2007, Ingrid Marie Rivera was crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico. Smiling prettily, she acknowledged her victory – then dashed back stage to shed her clothes and douse in ice water. Later laboratory tests confirmed the dastardly doings: Ms. Rivera’s gown and cosmetics had been sabotaged with chili pepper spray.