More about the world of chillies
Chilli plants and seeds have spread across every continent and have been bred into literally hundreds of varieties in every conceivable shape, colour and size.
The active ingredient in chillies, mostly concentrated around the seeds, is called Capsaicin and it has a rather peculiar effect on us, activating the heat receptors in the throat and mouth. The brain responds to the burning sensation by raising the heart rate and releasing endorphins, ready to counteract the pain so they really do bring about a real sense of both pain and pleasure. In actual fact Capsaicin does you no harm whatsoever.
People grow chillies from seeds for a variety of different reasons, reflected by the different World of Chillies Seed Collections. Most people have a fascination with the effects of Capsaicin and want to grow the serious hot varieties such as Bhut Jolokia, the Dorset Naga and chillies from the Habanero family.
Some are interested by the ornamental qualities of these beautiful, sometimes weird and wonderful fruits and others are connoisseurs of different varieties, applying different chillies to a wide range of cuisines and dishes. No matter what your interest, there is something for you in the World of Chillies.
Chillies from around the world
These small, firey chillies grow easily. This chilli
originates in Jamaica but can be found all around the
Caribbean.
Officially the worlds hottest chilli for over a decade,
until it was beaten and in fact doubled by the Bhut
Jolokia.
Hot fresh and flavoursome, it's easy to see why this
superhot chilli is so popular.
Zimbabwe bird. This tiny little piquin shaped devil is
rated in the top ten for its strength.
Also known as the Congo Black and the Black Habanero, this chilli
is the fourth hottest in the world!
Officially the hottest chilli in the world, the Bhut
Jolokia features in the Guiness Book of Records. Originally from
the Assam region of India.
The African Devil Chilli is also known as the Birds Eye or
African Red Devil and is found all across Southern
Africa.
The Dorset Naga has unofficially been tested to be hotter
than the Bhut Jolokia. Is the really the hottest in the
world?
Small and wrinkled fruits that really pack a punch. The
Habanero is one of the hottest chillies in the world!
Habanero
Click on the arrows to see more photos. Click on a thumbnail to enlarge
Chillies were first domesticated and their seeds saved around 6,000 years ago in Ecuador and their plants and seeds have since spread across the globe, there being no more ubiquitous a flavoring across the world for food except perhaps salt.
