Why are they Called Peppers? Due to global trade and possessing a similar pungency, the chiles of the New World were originally labeled as "peppers" – and the name stuck Similar to someone who was given a nickname that just kind of stuck, the naming of chile "peppers" appears to have originated as a case of mistaken identity.
How did Dr Pepper get its name?
Though no one is certain of how exactly the Dr Pepper name came to be, the popular theory (as referenced on the FAQ on the official Dr Pepper website) is that Morrison named it after the father of a young girl he was once in love with. Plus, at the time it was rather common to precede product names with “Dr.” to make them sound more healthful.
Why are pickled peppers called mangoes?
And yes, as an aside, peppers are technically fruits, not vegetables. One theory is that when mangos were first imported from India, they had to be pickled to make the journey, and by association, some people started using the term “mango” to refer to any fruit that was pickled.
What is the oldest English term for pepper?
The OED's evidence supports the hypothesis that pepper is the older English term for the fruits of genus Capsicum. The OED attests this usage to 1578: 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball v. lxix. 634 The Indian Pepper [Du. Peper van Indien, Fr. Poyure d'Inde] hath square stalkes.
Why did the Spanish want pepper so badly?
One of the reasons the Spanish monarchs wanted pepper so badly was that the rise of the Ottoman Empire cut off the traditional pepper routes from Asia. Taste the World! An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. Order Now
Why are pepper and pepper called the same?
It's ultimately from Sanskrit and originally referred to the Old World's Piper genus. The New World's Capsicum genus came to be called “pepper” in the 16c. because of its similarities to black pepper.
Why do they call it pepper?
Etymology. The word pepper derives from Old English pipor, Latin piper, and Sanskrit pippali for "long pepper". In the 16th century, people began using pepper to also mean the unrelated New World chili pepper (genus Capsicum).
Are peppers related to pepper?
The Original Pepper Plant, Piper nigrum Interestingly, chile pepper plants are not even closely related to the plant that gives us black pepper. Chile peppers are native to South/Central America and belong the Solanaceae plant family.
Where did pepper originally come from?
Peppers are native to tropical America and are particularly important in the cuisines of tropical Asia and equatorial America. Traces of pepper fruits have been found in prehistoric remains in Peru and Mexico, and the plants were widely grown in Central and South America by various pre-Columbian civilizations.
Why do Americans say bell pepper?
Originating from America, it's thought the US and UK call it a bell pepper and pepper respectively as when colonists first discovered the vegetable centuries ago, they likened it to the spicy chilli pepper. There's a surprising number of differences in the names different English-speaking countries give vegetables.
Does black pepper come from a pepper?
Black peppercorns are the dried fruit of the almost-mature pepper berry (in fact all pepper is from the same plant, piper nigrum). They are usually sundried, but can be oven dried, in a process that leaves the outer layer, the pericarp, oxidized and black (get ready for the word “pericarp” to show up a few times).
Why is a tomato a fruit but not a pepper?
Tomatoes are actually fruits. They develop from the ovary located at the base of the flower, and also contain the seeds of the plant. 2. Bell PeppersBell peppers are actually fruits and so are cucumbers, green beans and red chillies!
What is not a fruit?
Avocadoes, string beans, squash, eggplant, green pepper and okra are all technically fruits, Litt says. On the other hand, rhubarb is not a fruit.
What's the plural of chili?
chiliesIf you're talking about the pepper or the popular food usually made with meat and beans, it's chili. By the way, the plural is chilies. For example: “Some cooks like to use extra-hot chilies in their chili.”
Which is king of spices?
Black PepperBlack Pepper is considered the 'king of spices' and rightfully so. Unlike its perennial companion, salt, which is easily available in any nook and corner of the world, the black pepper owes its origins to Kerala – a state in South India.
Who is the queen of spices?
cardamomHailed as the 'Queen of Spices,' cardamom is one of the most expensive spices on the planet.
What came first salt or pepper?
0:073:02A brief history of salt and pepper - BBC Ideas - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCivilizations. Most notably the romans who left their mark on modern day language with their wordMoreCivilizations. Most notably the romans who left their mark on modern day language with their word for salt sal roman soldiers received their salary money to buy salt.
Are bell peppers related to chili peppers?
Answer: Bell or sweet peppers and chili peppers are actually from the same family of plants (same as the tomato, in fact!). They were first discovered by the Western world when Columbus travelled to America. At that time, peppercorns were a very prized condiment, so he called these vegetables “peppers”.
Is black pepper a nightshade?
Black and white pepper are derived from peppercorns, which are not in the nightshade family. Additionally, several condiments and other common food items contain nightshade vegetables as ingredients, such as hot sauce, ketchup, marinara sauce, and salsa.
Is a jalapeno a chili or a pepper?
The jalapeño pepper is a medium-sized chili pepper. Mature jalapeños are 2 to 3 inches in length and are typically picked and consumed while still green. Occasionally, they are allowed to fully ripen and turn red in color.
What's the difference between peppers?
Violaxanthin is found in yellow bell peppers, and capsanthin makes fully mature bell peppers red. Red bell peppers, which are the most nutrient-dense, also contain lycopene. As bell peppers ripen, they get sweeter. Green bell peppers are slightly bitter and the least sweet, while red bell peppers are the sweetest.
The Original Pepper Plant, Piper nigrum
Interestingly, chile pepper plants are not even closely related to the plant that gives us black pepper. Chile peppers are native to South/Central America and belong the Solanaceae plant family.
Pink "Peppercorns" and Sichuan "Peppers"
It turns out that chile peppers weren't the only plants conveniently mislabeled by history… The pink peppercorns, mentioned above, are not closely related to either the Piper nigrum or chile peppers.
The Family Tree of "Peppers" – In Botanical Terms
Not only do these "peppers" come from different parts of the world, according to their botanical classifications, they are not even closely related.
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About the Author
Mignon Fogarty is the founder of Quick and Dirty Tips and the author of seven books on language, including the New York Times bestseller " Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ." She is an inductee in the Podcasting Hall of Fame, and the show is a five-time winner of Best Education Podcast in the Podcast Awards.
