In the culinary world, red chili pods are a popular and essential ingredient in many dishes. They add flavor, spice, and color to meals, making them a versatile and sought-after item. Red chili pods are widely used in cuisines all over the world, from Mexican to Indian to Thai cuisine. This has led to a high demand for red chili pods, making them a valuable commodity in the food industry.

Of course, you can add more of the spicy ingredient if you want more heat and spiciness. Then, mix until well blended.

Not surprisingly, capsaicin can be found in the fruit of capsicums. Capsicum is the genus of plants producing the fruits we call ‘peppers’. The term Capsicum is derived from the Greek κάπτω (kapto), meaning “to gulp.” This morphed into Latin capsa, meaning ‘case’, referring to the fact that peppers hold seeds.

There is no easy answer to where paprika comes from. While paprika is closely associated with Hungary and Hungarian cuisine, paprika peppers did not arrive in that part of the world until the mid to late 16th century. The origin of all peppers can be traced to South America, where they grew wild and were distributed throughout South and Central America, mostly by birds. Eventually, peppers were cultivated, and native traders travelling through these regions carried them across the Caribbean as cargo in dugout canoes.