Chili pepper

The chili pepper is the fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum, members of the nightshade family, Solanaceae. In Britain, Australia, New Zealand, India, Malaysia and other Asian countries, the word pepper is usually omitted. The substances that give chili peppers their intensity when ingested or applied topically are capsaicin (8methylNvanillyl6nonenamide) and several related chemicals, collectively called capsaicinoids. Chili peppers originated in the Americas. After the Columbian Exchange, many cultivars of chili pepper spread across the world, used in both food and medicine. Chilies were brought to Asia by Portuguese navigators during the 16th century. India is the worlds largest producer, consumer and exporter of chili peppers. Guntur in Andhra Pradesh produces 30% of all the chilies produced in India,and the state of Andhra Pradesh as a whole contributes 75% of Indias chili exports.