Many dishes cannot be cooked perfectly without seasoning such as red capsicum. This spice is also known under another name - "chili". For many centuries, it was valued almost by its weight in gold, and now it is available to any person. Some cuisines of the world, such as Mexican and Indian, almost never do without it. This plant of the nightshade family was originally cultivated only in South America. Today, on an industrial scale, this pepper is grown in tropical countries, but some varieties are successfully cultivated in Russia. Many people grow this pepper at home on the windowsill. This plant with branched stems covered with elliptical leaves rarely exceeds a height of 60 cm. Blossoms in white flowers (sometimes with purple spots). The fruit is a berry with pericarp of a trunk-shaped or spherical shape.
Varieties
Many gardeners grow red peppers in their plots. The name of a particular variety of this plant, few know, but in the world there is a certain classification by which it is possible to determine its variety.
Habanero is one of the sharpest peppers. Its fruits are round and wrinkled. "Cayenne" - has small pods. "Bird's Eye" - an acute-angled thin pepper. "Jalapeno" - has elongated fruits of medium size. “Serrano” - is distinguished by small peppercorns resembling a bullet in shape. "Blanched" - has large fruits of medium severity. "Anaheim" - differs from other varieties in long, large fruits and a rather mild flavor.
Structure
Hot red capsicum has a very burning taste, which gives it the alkaloid capsaicin. Its content in different varieties of this culture varies greatly. So, for example, in cayenne pepper its concentration is so high that the juice causes chemical burns to the skin and mucous membrane. Chili contains a lot of vitamin C. Pods contain carotene, vitamin B6, fatty and essential oils, sugars, minerals (iron, potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, magnesium). When using this product, it should be remembered that the unripe fruits of useful substances contain much less than fully ripened ones. Capsicum cannot be called the lowest-calorie product, since 100 g contains 40 kcal, but in practice few people eat it in large quantities.
Beneficial features
Capsicum in addition to its nutritional value also has healing properties. Its use in medicine is due to the presence of burning capsaicin. From it make tinctures, extracts, ointments, which have a warming and local irritating effect. Pepper has an immunostimulating property. Capsaicin favors the production of endorphins, which increases stress resistance and relieves fatigue. This substance is capable of absorbing a substance such as P-neuropeptide, which conducts pain impulses along the nerve endings. Thanks to this, preparations made from red capsicum have an analgesic effect. These drugs are used for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, muscle and joint pain. They have an expectorant and antipyretic effect for colds. Pepper stimulates the digestive tract, increases appetite, speeds up metabolism. It also has anthelmintic properties.
Application in cosmetology
Recently, the use of red capsicum for cosmetic procedures has become very popular. Its tinctures and extracts are used to improve skin blood supply, stimulate hair growth and strengthen nails. The warming and irritating properties of this pepper are used to combat cellulite. Many cosmetic companies produce effective creams, which include extracts from the fruits of this plant.
Contraindications
Capsicum is not recommended for people with stomach ulcers or gastritis, as it often causes exacerbation of these diseases. It is also not recommended to use this product (especially in large quantities) for those who have high blood pressure. It often happens that hot red pepper leads to a burn of the mucous membrane of the esophagus. In this case, it is recommended to use milk, boiled potatoes or rice without spices.