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The Blazing Truth: Black Pepper vs. Chile Peppers

For many of us, the mention of 'pepper' conjures up images of chile peppers - those spicy, flavorful fruits that add a kick to our dishes. However, black pepper and chile peppers are actually two completely different things.

Black pepper is produced from the dried and ground peppercorns of the piper nigrum species, containing a chemical called Piperine. On the other hand, chiles are fruit pods of various cultivars and varieties from five domesticated plant species, including capsicum annuum, capsicum baccatum, capsicum chinense, capsicum frutescens, and capsicum pubescens.

The confusion between black pepper and chile peppers may have originated during Christopher Columbus's time, when he brought back chiles to Europe, mistakenly calling them 'peppers.' This misnomer has stuck, leading many of us to refer to chile peppers as 'chile peppers.'

One key difference between black pepper and chile peppers is the chemical compound responsible for their heat. Chiles contain capsaicin, which is measured on the Scoville Scale. Black pepper, on the other hand, contains no capsaicin.

So, what about those spicy mustards that have a pungent flavor? The spiciness in these condiments comes from Allyl Isothiocyanate (AITC), a chemical also found in garlic, wasabi, and horseradish. This chemical is an aromatic irritant that triggers the nostrils and has a different type of 'spiciness' than capsaicin.

For those who are familiar with the heat of chile peppers, it can be easy to mistake the spiciness of these condiments for the presence of horseradish. However, Allyl Isothiocyanate lacks the pure 'burning' sensation of capsaicin and has a more irritating effect.

In conclusion, while black pepper may not have the same level of heat as chile peppers, it is still a unique and flavorful spice with its own distinct chemical properties. By understanding the differences between these two types of 'peppers,' we can better appreciate their individual characteristics and uses in cooking.

Bravado black garlic carolina reaper scoville units