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Culinary Dictionary
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| Category: Herbs, plants and spices |
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Red pepper flakes | ||
 Red pepper flakes are deliciously hot dried bits of pepper and seeds, which are made from hot red peppers of varying kinds. Dried and crushed red Chile peppers, often hot with a pungent and Smokey flavor.Red Pepper is made from the ground fruit of a plant in the Capsicum family. The fruits, commonly known as "chilies" or "chili peppers," are fiery red or orange pods which rarely grow to more than 4 inches in length. The ground product ranges from orangered, to deep, dark red. According to the American Spice Trade Association, "Red Pepper" is the preferred name for all hot red pepper spices. Cayenne Pepper is another name for the same type of product. Some manufacturers use the term Cayenne Pepper to refer to a hotter version of Red Pepper. Origin: Peppers, which have been found in prehistoric remains in Peru, were widely grown in Central and South America in pre-Columbian times. Pepper seeds were carried to Spain in 1493 and from there spread rapidly throughout Europe. History: Capsicum peppers are native to Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and parts of South America. The Spanish discovered the pods in the New World and brought them back to Europe. Before the arrival of Spaniards, Indians in Peru and Guatemala used capsicum medicinally to treat stomach and other ailments. Nutrition Facts: Rich in vitamins A and C that are used in seasoning and as a vegetable food. |