Chilli Peppers

Appears in
Floyd on Oz

By Keith Floyd

Published 1991

  • About
Fresh chilli peppers come in a variety of colours, from yellow to purplish-black, as well as different degrees of hotness. Their flavour mellows when cooked, but if you’ve added too many, there is, I’m afraid, little you can do to rescue a dish.

The general rule is the smaller the chilli, the hotter it is. The seeds and ribs are the hottest bits so these are often discarded. But the heat and flavour of all chillies vary enormously, so it is a good idea to taste some to see and adjust the amount you’re using accordingly. The smallest chillies are usually found in specialist stores whereas supermarkets tend to stock the larger, milder types. Do not do what I did when cooking yabbies on Kangaroo Island, rub your eye while chopping one up. So remember, wash your hands!