Did You Know The
Background Of Peppers?

Has it ever bothered you that Peppers and Pepper have the same name but have absolutely nothing to do with each other?

No......... ahhh, well it might do now!

Roughly 500 years ago there was a huge demand in Europe for spices they were very popular but very expensive, it was even considered that the worth of a sack of pepper was the same as the worth of a mans life.

The traders who sold such luxury items the West were obviously keen to protect their product and profit therefore were fiercely secretive (and often downright lied) about their origins.

Due to the vast wealth involved it was clear that Europeans would look for quicker and better trade routes than the old 'Silk Road' which importantly allowed them to control and get rich from themselves.

Enter Christopher Columbus who is renowned for stumbling upon America in his search for a trade route to India.

He did discover Pepper's growing in the Americas, they had been long established by those that lived there.

Served some in a dish by some of the Natives to his taste buds the taste was the exact same as the Black Pepper he was searching for - he figured this is what Pepper must look like in a natural state.

He brought them back to Europe where they quickly became known as Spanish Bell Peppers.

At first, they were not that popular but through trade with Asia they became a major part of their cooking cultures.

Some people even claim the pepper is one of the most important ingredients worldwide.

Whilst it has not fed as many people as The Potato, Rice or Corn it has added flavor and variety to diets everywhere and can be used in a wide range of recipes.

So that is the story of why we have Peppers & Pepper!

Thank you to Chris King for putting me on to this interesting fact. If you have any similar, please let me know.