Chillies cont. Varieties, Benefits and Beliefs

Though they have arrived only about 500 years ago, chillies have become an essential part of both our diet and our culture. There are many varieties grown all over India, Birds-Eye (Mizoram & Manipur), Byadagi (Dharwar, Karnataka), Ellachipur Sannam-S4 type (Amaravathi, Maharashtra), Guntur Sannam-S4 type (Andhra Pradesh), Jwala (Kheda, Mehsana and Gujarat), Kanthari-White (Kerala and Tamil Nadu), Kashmir Chilli (Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, and North India during winter), Madhya Pradesh G. T. Sannam (Indore, Malkapur Chikli and Elachpur) etc.^[1] Bhut Jolokia grown in Assam was awarded the Guinness World record for being the hottest chilli in 2007.^[2] 

                Fig: Some chillies in India [3]                                                Fig: Chilli growing states in India [4]

Chillies contain many nutrients like Proteins, Carbohydrates, Iron, Phosphorus, Calcium, Copper, Aluminium, Manganese, Carotenoids, Phenols, Foliates, Vitamin C, A and E, etc. It’s used to make ayurvedic medicines that help with voice disorders, cholera, diabetes, skin problems, dog bites, abdominal pain and delirious fever. Some chillies have chemical components that can scavenge free radicals, boost the immune system, control flatulence and cholesterol, help with rheumatic disorder and relieve bruising, swelling and pain. Capsaicin, one of the main compounds in chillies, helps in release of endorphins. Experiments show that it has the ability to destroy cancer cells and is cardioprotective.[5][6]

           Fig: Nutrients in chillies [7]                                                                Fig: Benefits of Capsaicin [8]   

The potency of chillies is believed to be of supernatural origin. It can be used as a shield against curses and evil eyes. Alakshmi, the goddess of misfortune can be pleased by an offering of sour, pungent things so a lemon and 7 green chillies is hung outside shops. An explanation for this practice may be that this was a pesticide that has been given superstitious origins.[9][10][11]

                                            Fig: Alakshmi godess of misfortune [12]                                                      Fig: Lucky charm [10]

Think of all your meals in a day. You would notice that at least one of them would have chillies or chilli powder in them. Our life would be bland without them.