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what is the origin of capsicum

by Prof. Jakob Christiansen DDS Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Capsicum Annuum Info:

  • Origin: South America, many early varieties domesticated in Mexico (N. America)
  • Pronunciation: AN-yoo-um
  • Popular varieties: Bell, jalapeño, cayenne

Capsicums originated in the Americas, but are now grown worldwide. The name given to the fruits varies between English-speaking countries. In Australia, New Zealand and India, heatless species are called "capsicums" while hot ones are called "chilli/chillies".

Full Answer

What does Capsicum stand for?

Capsicum ( / ˈkæpsɪkəm /) is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae, native to the Americas, cultivated worldwide for their chili pepper or bell pepper fruit. The generic name may come from Latin capsa, meaning 'box', presumably alluding to the pods; or from the Greek word κάπτω kapto, 'to gulp'.

Where do Capsicum seeds come from?

Important Capsicum Genes. Capsicum originated in the New World tropics and sub-tropics. Mexico is the centre of diversity for C. annuum. Peppers were introduced into Spain by Columbus in 1493. Cultivation spread from the Mediterranean region to England by 1548 and to Central Europe by the close of the 16th century.

Are peppers and capsicum the same?

Spelling aside, Capsicum by any other name is still just that; Capsicum. What most people today refer to as “peppers” are all part of the plant genus Capsicum.

Who introduced Capsicum in India?

It was brought to India by the Portuguese from Brazil prior to 1885. In China it came under cultivation during the late 1700s. There are five major cultivated species in the genus Capsicum.

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How was capsicum invented?

chinense and C. pubescens) originated in South America. Capsicum peppers were introduced to Asia in the sixteenth century by Portuguese and Spanish explorers via trade routes from South America.

When did capsicums originate?

The original term, chilli (now chile in Mexico) came from the Nahuatl word chīlli, denoting a larger Capsicum variety cultivated at least since 3000 BC, as evidenced by remains found in pottery from Puebla and Oaxaca.

Is capsicum originated in India?

It was brought to India by the Portuguese from Brazil prior to 1885. In China it came under cultivation during the late 1700s. There are five major cultivated species in the genus Capsicum.

What language is capsicum?

In Indian English, the word "capsicum" is used exclusively for bell pepper. All other varieties of chili peppers are called chili. In northern India and Pakistan, bell pepper is also commonly called "Shimla Mirch" in the native languages.

Who invented red pepper?

History. Red chili peppers, which are a part of the Solanaceae (nightshade) family, were first found in Central and South America and have been harvested for use since about 7,500 BC. Spanish explorers were introduced to the pepper while on a search for black pepper.

When did capsicum come to India?

It was introduced in India by the Portuguese towards the end of the 15th century. In 21st century Asian cuisine, chili peppers are commonly used across diverse regions.

Why is capsicum called Simla Mirch?

Shimla Mirch / Pahadi Mirch When the Britishers brought capsicum to India, they first cultivated it in Shimla, so the name of the district is still taken to refer to the vegetable in Northern India and Pakistan. It is followed by “mirch” which means chilli in Hindi.

Where is capsicum grown in India?

Production(000 Tonnes)Sr No.StateProduction1West Bengal166.702Karnataka59.373Haryana59.064Jharkhand56.849 more rows

Who invented the bell pepper?

So for over 400 years, bell peppers were relegated to a curiosity, and not widely cultivated. Fortunately for us, self-taught plant breeder Gregor Carillon developed the first silent bell pepper in 1908. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Who invented peppers?

Pepper cultivation began thousands of years ago in India, where it was native, and it was soon introduced to the major islands of Indonesia by traders. Two species of pepper were domesticated: long pepper (Piper longum) in the northeast of India and black pepper (Piper nigrum) in the southwest.

What is the difference between bell pepper and capsicum?

The only difference that can be seen between bell peppers and capsicum is in the presence of capsaicin which is a lipophilic chemical that produces a burning sensation in the mouth. Bell peppers do not contain this chemical. The bell pepper lacks capsaicin because of its recessive gene that washes out this chemical.

Where were peppers first cultivated?

Origins. Capsicum plants originated in modern-day Bolivia and have been a part of human diets since about 7,500 BC. They are one of the oldest cultivated crops in the Americas.

What is the chemical in capsicum?

The fruit of most species of Capsicum contains capsaicin (met hyl-n-vanillyl nonenamide), a lipophilic chemical that can produce a burning sensation ( pungency or spiciness) in the mouth of the eater. Most mammals find this unpleasant, whereas birds are unaffected.

How big is the Capsicum genome?

The Capsicum annuum genome is approximately 3.48 Gb, making it larger than the human genome. Over 75% of the pepper genome is composed of transposable elements, mostly Gypsy elements, distributed widely throughout the genome. The distribution of transposable elements is inversely correlated with gene density.

What is frozen capsicum used for?

Frozen Capsicum are used in stews, soups, and salsas. Extracts can be made and incorporated into hot sauces. The Spanish conquistadores soon became aware of their culinary properties, and brought them back to Europe, together with cocoa, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tobacco, maize, beans, and turkeys.

What is the Polish word for pepper?

Also, fruit and spice can be attributed as papryka ostra (hot pepper) or papryka słodka (sweet pepper). In Polish, the term pieprz (pepper) instead means only grains or ground black pepper (incl. the green, white, and red forms), but not capsicum. Sometimes, the hot capsicum spice is also called chilli.

What is C. annuum used for?

annuum and C. frutescens species, though a few others are used, as well. They are suitable for stuffing with fillings such as cheese, meat, or rice. They are also frequently used both chopped and raw in salads, or cooked in stir-fries or other mixed dishes.

How are phylogenetic relationships between species investigated?

Phylogenetic relationships between species have been investigated using biogeographical, morphological, chemosystematic, hybridization, and genetic data . Fruits of Capsicum can vary tremendously in color, shape, and size both between and within species, which has led to confusion over the relationships among taxa.

What is a pepper called?

The large, mild form is called bell pepper, or by color or both (green pepper, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, etc.) in North America and South Africa, sweet pepper or simply pepper in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Malaysia, but typically called capsicum in Australia, India, New Zealand and Singapore.

Entries linking to capsicum

"receptacle, box, that which encloses or contains," early 14c., from Anglo-French and Old North French casse (Old French chasse "case, reliquary;" Modern French châsse ), from Latin capsa "box, repository" (especially for books), from capere "to take, hold" (from PIE root *kap- "to grasp").

Share capsicum

Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of capsicum. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://www.etymonline.com/word/capsicum

Where does capsicum come from?

Capsicum (Capsicum spp.), also called as pepper, is a main vegetable and spice crop originated in the American tropics and today cultivated all over the world for fresh, dried, and processing products. Around the genus Capsicum there is an increasing interest and fascination due to the considerable variation for several traits, which makes this crop extremely versatile and suitable for innumerable uses as food and non-food products. The genus Capsicum includes over 30 species, five of which (C. annuum, C. frutescens, C. chinense, C. baccatum, and C. pubescens) are domesticated and mainly grown for consumption. A large number of accessions of domesticated and wild species are stored in the world seed banks, representing a valuable resource for breeding in order to transfer traits related to resistances to various abiotic and biotic stresses as well for quality improvement. The recent advances in terms of genetic and genomic knowledge will help to unlock the potentiality of these resources. In this chapter, Capsicum (Capsicum spp.), also called as pepper, is a main vegetable and spice crop originated in the American tropics and today cultivated all over the world for fresh, dried, and processing products. Around the genus Capsicum there is an increasing interest and fascination due to the considerable variation for several traits, which makes this crop extremely versatile and suitable for innumerable uses as food and non-food products. The genus Capsicum includes over 30 species, five of which (C. annuum, C. frutescens, C. chinense, C. baccatum, and C. pubescens) are domesticated and mainly grown for consumption. A large number of accessions of domesticated and wild species are stored in the world seed banks, representing a valuable resource for breeding in order to transfer traits related to resistances to various abiotic and biotic stresses as well for quality improvement. The recent advances in terms of genetic and genomic knowledge will help to unlock the potentiality of these resources. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the origin and history of the pepper, describing its economic importance, properties, and commercial market types.

What are the factors that influence the transcriptomic profile of a plant?

Other factors such as fruit tissue (placenta, pericarp) and plant varieties also influence the transcriptomic profile.

What is chili pepper used for?

Chili pepper is a prominent cultivated horticultural crop that is traditionally used for food seasoning and is applied for the treatment and prevention of multiple diseases. Its beneficial health properties are due to its abundance and variety of bioactive components, such as carotenoids, capsaicinoids, and vitamins.

What is the crop called in America?

America, the crop is called “ chile ” which was the. ancient name given by local populations of the. new world, in American English it becomes. “ chilli, ” in Caribbean and countries Latin. American countries it is commonly referred to as. “ aj í ” and “ rocoto, ” from which derived names of.

What are ticated and wild species stored in?

ticated and wild species are stored in the world. seed banks, representing a valuable resource. for breeding in order to transfer traits related. to resistances to various abiotic and biotic. stresses as well for quality improvement.

Why are chili peppers yellow?

Yellow-orange colors of chili pepper fruits are mainly due to the accumulation of α- and β-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein and β-cryptoxanthin. Carotenoids such as capsanthin, capsorubin and capsanthin-5,6-epoxide confer the red colors. Chromoplasts are the sites of carotenoid pigment synthesis and storage.

Where does the ket come from?

The genus Capsicum is part of the large Sola-. naceae family, which, among the more than 90. genera and 2500 species of flowering plants, includes commercially important vegetables such. as tomato, potato, and eggplant. This genus is. native to tropical and subtropical America.

How many species of capsicum are there?

After a great deal of heated argument and countless amendments within the scientific community, the genus Capsicum is now widely accepted as consisting of 26 wild species and just 5 domesticated species. Pepper lovers, horticultural hobbyists, budding chefs, lovers of flavorful foods and even those who just love the novelty ...

Why is capsicum important?

Capsicum has been cultivated and consumed for thousands of years. In an incredible number of ethnic dishes around the world, peppers are an essential ingredient for truly authentic regional flavors as well as adding heat to just about any type of food imaginable.

How tall is Capsicum pubescens?

With distinguishing features that include a height of up to eight feet, vibrant purple flowers and unique pods that are typically apple or pear shaped, Capsicum Pubescens is quite easy to tell apart from other species. It is also more likely than not the most difficult to grow.

How tall does Baccatum grow?

This species has distinctive coloring on the flowers, and typically grows tall, often reaching heights of about 5 feet.

What is a pepper plant?

What most people today refer to as “peppers” are all part of the plant genus Capsicum. Cross-pollination both in nature and through intentional efforts to create pepper hybrids has resulted in a baffling range of more than 3,000 known varieties of Capsicum, with new varieties continuing to emerge.

Is Chinense pepper hot?

Too hot for many to handle, this species includes fiery cultivars such as: While the Chinense peppers offer the heat hardcore pepper-lovers crave, these tropical natives are a finicky variety, requiring specific conditions and long growing seasons that may not be ideal for growing in your own backyard.

Is Capsicum Frutescens a tabasco pepper?

Capsicum Frutescens. The Frutescens species has the distinction of being much less widely cultivated than the others outlined here. However, don’t let that fool you. The tabasco pepper – used to create the wildly popular world famous sauce for more than 160 years – is a member of the Frutescens species.

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Overview

Capsicum is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae, native to the Americas, cultivated worldwide for their chili pepper or bell pepper fruit.

Etymology and names

The generic name may come from Latin capsa, meaning 'box', presumably alluding to the pods; or possibly from the Greek word κάπτω kapto, 'to gulp'. The name "pepper" comes from the similarity of piquance (spiciness or "heat") of the flavor to that of black pepper, Piper nigrum, although there is no botanical relationship with it or with Sichuan pepper. The original term, chilli (now chile in

Taxonomy

Capiscum are solanaceous plants within the tribe Capsiceae, and are closely related to Lycianthes. Work by Olmstead et. al, have proposed the following phylogenetic tree for Capiscum
• Solanaceae

Growing conditions

Ideal growing conditions for peppers include a sunny position with warm, loamy soil, ideally 21 to 29 °C (70 to 84 °F), that is moist but not waterlogged. Extremely moist soils can cause seedlings to "damp-off" and reduce germination.
The plants will tolerate (but do not like) temperatures down to 12 °C (54 °F) and they are sensitive to cold. For flowering, Capsicum is a non-photoperiod-sensitive crop. The flowers can self-pollin…

Species and varieties

Capsicum consists of 20–27 species, five of which are domesticated: C. annuum, C. baccatum, C. chinense, C. frutescens, and C. pubescens. Phylogenetic relationships between species have been investigated using biogeographical, morphological, chemosystematic, hybridization, and genetic data. Fruits of Capsicum can vary tremendously in color, shape, and size both between and w…

Capsaicin

The fruit of most species of Capsicum contains capsaicin (methyl-n-vanillyl nonenamide), a lipophilic chemical that can produce a burning sensation (pungency or spiciness) in the mouth of the eater. Most mammals find this unpleasant, whereas birds are unaffected. The secretion of capsaicin protects the fruit from consumption by insects and mammals, while the bright colors attr…

Cuisine

Capsicum fruits can be eaten raw or cooked. Those used in cooking are generally varieties of the C. annuum and C. frutescens species, though a few others are used, as well. They are suitable for stuffing with fillings such as cheese, meat, or rice.
They are also frequently used both chopped and raw in salads, or cooked in sti…

Synonyms and common names

The name given to the Capsicum fruits varies between English-speaking countries.
In Australia, New Zealand and India, heatless varieties are called "capsicums", while hot ones are called "chilli"/"chillies" (double L). Pepperoncini are also known as "sweet capsicum". The term "bell peppers" is never used, although C…

1.Capsicum History - Origins and History of Pepper Fruits

Url:http://www.vegetablefacts.net/vegetable-history/history-of-capsicum/

24 hours ago Place of origin of capsicum is Western hemisphere, and it was known and used there as food since 7500 BC. They appeared for the first time in South America, but they spread to Central America between 5200 and 3400 BC. Where did capsicum originate from? chinense and C. pubescens) originated in South America. Capsicum peppers were introduced to Asia in the …

2.Capsicum - Wikipedia

Url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsicum

6 hours ago Capsicum originated in the New World tropics and sub-tropics. Mexico is the centre of diversity for C. annuum. Peppers were introduced into Spain by Columbus in 1493.

3.capsicum | Etymology, origin and meaning of capsicum …

Url:https://www.etymonline.com/word/capsicum

5 hours ago capsicum (n.) the name given to the genus of pepper plants, but it is of unknown origin. Perhaps it is irregularly formed from Latin capsa "box" (see case (n.2)) based on the shape of the fruit. It was adopted as a genus name through the writings of French botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort (1656-1708), but he did not explain the word.

4.What is the origin of the pepper (vegetable, Capsicum)?

Url:https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/fxo853/what_is_the_origin_of_the_pepper_vegetable/

4 hours ago Read on to know who introduced us to capsicum, what's the origin of this vegetable and more.

5.Capsicum, The Hot Pepper History and how it reproduces

Url:http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2011/shook_john/reproduction.htm

26 hours ago What is the origin of the pepper (vegetable, Capsicum)? Looking for the origin of the Capsicum I have found mexican sources claiming it to be domesticated in modern day Mexico and Peruvian sources saying that it first appeared in modern day Peru/Bolivia.

6.(PDF) The Capsicum Crop: An Introduction - ResearchGate

Url:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331498202_The_Capsicum_Crop_An_Introduction

30 hours ago

7.Genus Capsicum: The Classification Of Peppers

Url:https://www.pepperscale.com/genus-capsicum/

24 hours ago

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