Learn about Chilli and its Use in Indian cuisine

Chilli In Indian cuisine

Chilli is the fruit of the plants from the genus Capsicum. Chillies are cultivated mainly in tropical and sub-tropical countries. India is the largest producer and major exporter of chilli. Chilli In Indian cuisine is like summer without the sunshine. Gundur is the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh produce 30 % of all the chillies produced in India. Andhra Pradesh contributes 75% of India’s Chilli exports.

Chillies are classified on the basis of their colour, shape and pungency. There are two major varieties of Chilli – ‘Capsicum annum’ and ‘Capsicum frutescens’. These are the two major varieties grown and eaten all over the world. There are three more varieties of chilli too. They are ‘Capsicum chinense’, ‘Capsicum pubescens’, and ‘Capsicum baccatum’. ‘Capsicum annum’ includes many common varieties such as bell pepper, wax, cayenne, jalapenos, chiltepin and all forms of New Mexico chilli. ‘Capsicum frutescens’ includes malagueta, tabasco and Thai peppers, piri piri and Malawian kambuzi. Buy beyond curry cook book

Fresh unripe chillies

come in various shades of green from lime to olive. The ripe chillies are red. Some of the Indian chillies are long and fat and round like cherries or small and slender. Chillies have a strong aroma and their taste ranges from mild to dynamite. The level of heat is dependent on the amount of capsaicin present in the seeds, veins and skin of the chillies. The contrast in colour and appearance makes chilli plant interesting as a garden plant.

Chillies are available in many different ways. We can buy them fresh, dried, powdered, flaked, in oil, in sauce, bottled and pickled. The south Indian varieties of dried red chilli have incredible fire power. When buying fresh chillies make sure it is crisp and unwrinkled. It will be bright green in colour and unbroken. Like all ground spices, chilli powder also loses its strength and sparkle after few months. Whole dried chillies can keep up to a year if stored in a dry and dark place. Exposure to light and air can spoil the colour and flavour.

There are different varieties of chilli powder.

Chilli powder is the dried, pulverised fruit of one or more varieties of chilli pepper, sometimes with the addition of other spices also sometimes known as chilli powder blend. Chilli powder is sometimes known by the specific type of chilli pepper such as cayenne pepper. It is used in many different cuisines, including Indian, Tex-Mex, Chinese, Thai and Korean. You can buy several forms of chilli powder like paprika which is mild but does not store well and cayenne which is extremely hot. Chilli powder is widely available and needs no alternative. Buy our

Chilli powder is the dried, pulverised fruit of one or more varieties of chilli pepper, sometimes with the addition of other spices also sometimes known as chilli powder blend. Chilli powder is sometimes known by the specific type of chilli pepper such as cayenne pepper. It is used in many different cuisines, including Indian, Tex-Mex, Chinese, Thai and Korean. You can buy several forms of chilli powder like paprika which is mild but does not store well and cayenne which is extremely hot. Chilli powder is widely available and needs no alternative. Buy our Indian cuisine small sharing plate cook book

Chillies are also used for some medicinal purpose.

Capsaicin, the chemical in chilli peppers that makes them hot and is used as an analgesic in topical ointments, nasal spray and dermal patches to relieve pain. Chillies are very high in vitamins A and C and have more vitamin C per gramme than many oranges. Chillies are also added to medicines which relieve sore throats. Chilli is a good source of most B vitamins and vitamin B6 in particular. They are very high in potassium, magnesium and iron. Learn about the Use of coriander in Indian cuisine

Chillies are present in many cuisines. They are sometimes used whole or in large slices, by roasting or other means of blistering or charring the skin. In India, most households always keep a stack of fresh hot green chillies at hand and used them to flavour most curries and dry dishes. It is typically lightly fried with oil in the initial stages of preparation of the dish. Fresh or dried chillies are used to make the sauce, a liquid condiment. Hot sauces are found in many cuisines including harissa from North Africa, chilli oil from China and Sriracha from Thailand.

The capsaicin in chillies is highly irritant to skin. It makes a burning sensation when touching with bare hands. So be careful when preparing them. Try to avoid contact with the inside of the fruit and wash hands with soap and water immediately after use or wear gloves when chopping. Keep hands away from the face. To reduce the pungency of chillies, discard the seeds and soak them in cold salted water. learn about the use of Fennel in Indian cuisine