Know your Chillies
History
Chillies (capsicum frutescens) are native to Mexico & have been cultivated for over five thousand years. They were brought to Europe in the 16th century, later spreading to Asia where they are a key ingredient for many dishes.
Handle your Chillies with care
Its not just when eating chillies you can feel the 'heat', so take care when handling them. To prepare slice the tops off, cut in half length-ways, then using a very sharp knife scrape away the membrane & seeds as this is where the capsaicin is concentrated, the oily chemical that gives chillies their heat. Slice or chop the flesh finely. Wear gloves if reasonably practical & take care not to touch your face or eyes as the capsaicin will sting. Scrub all utensils thoroughly afterwards.
