CHILLIES AND CAYENNE PEPPER. 



479 



There would seem to be extraordinary flactuations in tlie quantity 

 of pepper taken for consumption here and stocks held, for if we take 

 the last five years, deducting the re-exports from the imports, the 

 following were apparently tlie quantities taken for consumption and 

 held in stock in the United Kingdom : — 



Lb?. I Lbs. 



1871 4,193,510 1874 3,320,468 



1872 9,685,000 1875 9,187,571 



1373 13,938,359 1 



The average consumption of pepper in the United Kingdoin from 

 1848 to 1862, when there was a duty levied, was from 3,500,000 lbs. 

 to 4,000,000 lbs. per annum. 



A pepperwort, the small red carpels of which inclose black shining 

 seeds of an aromatic odour, and a peculiar pungent flavour, with an 

 acrid after-taste, being stimulant, stomachic, and astringent, are 

 used for seasoning purposes jn China. They are brought from the 

 Szechuan province to Ning-po, and are worth 50 B a picul. 



Chillies and Cayenne Pepper. — The Cayenne pepper of commerce 

 is obtained chiefly from the pulverised chillies or fruit pods of one 

 or two species of capsicum (Capsicum annuum, Lin., and C. fasti- 

 giatum, Blume). But a very large number of species and varieties 

 of capsicum are grown and used as condiments in all tropical 

 countries, where there appears to be a greater necessity for pungent 

 seasonings. 



The generic botanical name of Capsicum is derived from " kapto," 

 to bite, on account of the hot pungent qualities of the pericarp. 



Among the principal species grown may be named the following : — 

 the cherry pepper or round chilli. (Capsicum cerasiforme, Willd.) ; 

 the bonnet pepper (C. tetragoiium, Mill.); the bell pepper (C. grossum, 

 Lin.) ; the spice or goat pepper (C. frufesrens, Lin.) and the bird 

 pepper (C. haccatum, Lin.). The last named two are more acrimonious 

 than the others. The fruits of these several species are of various 

 forms — round, oblong, cordate or horned, and either scarlet or yellow ; 

 in some varieties they are so little pungent as to be used sliced in 

 salad, in others they are intolerably biting till the mouth becomes 

 accustomed to them by habit. The acrid resin (capsicine) in the fruit 

 renders them hot, pungent and stimulating. Contrary to general 

 opinion it has been found on analysis that the seeds after removal of 

 the pericarp, and thoroughly washing and drying them, are entirely 

 devoid of acridity and pungency. 



Red pepper may be termed one of the most useful condiments in 

 hygiene. As a stimulant and auxiliary in digestion it has been con- 

 sidered invaluable, especially in warm countries. There are always a 

 few of these shrubby plants grown about the dwellings in the 

 tropics to supply the daily wants of the table, as they are generally 

 gathered and eaten just before fully ripe. 



Unfortunately Cayenne pepper is very frequently adulterated, and 

 hence reliance can only be placed on purchasing from respectable 



