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WonderFood history fact1,344 of 1,961

Chili peppers began in the Americas, then travelled by ship into kitchens around the world.

Smithsonian Affiliations

HistoryFood

Why it matters

The idea in context

Today chili feels ancient in India, China, Korea, Turkey and West Africa, but the plant's deep roots are American. Some flavours that feel local everywhere are really records of migration, trade and conquest.

Türkçe

Aynı kart, başka bir dilde.

Acı biber Amerika kıtasında doğdu; sonra gemilerle dünyaya yayıldı ve birçok mutfağın karakterini değiştirdi.

Bugün acı biber Hindistan'da, Çin'de, Kore'de, Türkiye'de ya da Batı Afrika'da sanki hep oradaymış gibi görünür. Oysa bitkinin kökü Amerika kıtasındadır. Bazı tatlar bize yerel gelir; aslında göçün, ticaretin ve tarihin damakta bıraktığı izlerdir.

Source trail

Read beyond the card.

Smithsonian Affiliations describes Capsicum peppers as American plants whose domesticated varieties crossed oceans after European contact and became major ingredients in world cuisines. Source: https://affiliations.si.edu/a-plant-from-the-americas-that-conquered-the-world/

Background reading: Chili pepperAttribution and context are revised when stronger evidence appears. Corrections are welcome through the editorial page.
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