Chilli Peppers

APPEARANCE: Generally, small size and elongated shape distinguish chilies from sweet peppers, but beware the fiery small, round, green ones do exist.

QUALITY: Select firm, unblemished peppers, preferably with stems. Hotness differs more with variety than with color, although green ones tend to be hotter than red because the fruits sweeten as they ripen.

COMMENTS: Vegetable peppers (as opposed to peppercorns) are a relatively recent addition to the cuisines of both Europe and Asia, having emigrated from South America via Columbus, first to Europe and then further eastward, Today they are a staple in many provinces of China, One cook reports that “Hunan people can live without meat but [not] without hot pepper,” and that every home garden has a plant or two.