Why Is a 'Pepper' Different From 'Pepper'? Blame Christopher Columbus

Pepper properly refers to certain members of the genus Piper. There are several plants in this genus that produce berries that also produce a biting sensation, though not nearly as much as the capsicums. The berries of these plants contain piperine, a different chemical that is an irritant. Among the true peppers are black/white/green Piper nigrum, Cubeb, Long Pepper, and others.

Peppers are the broader classification. Capsicums, called bell peppers by some Americans, are sweet when ripe. The spicy hot ones, with capsaicin, are called chilies (or chili peppers)  and were so called because they came from the Spanish possession governed by the Viceroy of Chile. Actually, the spicy little peppers probably came from part of what is now Peru or Bolivia that was included in Chile. Cayenne peppers are another variety of hot pepper, named after the place in French Guiana on the northeast coast of South America.

Because of some geographic confusion when Columbus first reached the West Indies (he thought he was in Asia), the Spanish word for the Piper pepper was applied to the Capiscum pepper. The confusion continues today, with various parts of the world separating the two (or not!) according to their own ways of seeing things.

This week, a look at why Christopher Columbus is to blame for the confusion between peppers and pepper.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "If only we'd stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time." - Edith Wharton (US novelist, 1862 - 1937)

Why is a ‘Pepper’ Different From ‘Pepper’? Blame Christopher Columbus by fredwine on Scribd

The Tragic Roots of America’s Favorite Cherry

It is thought that sweet cherries originated in the region between the Black and the Caspian Seas. Cherries derive their name from the Turkish town of Cerasus, and Turkey remains the largest cherry producing region in the world. Like many things, cherries migrated with the colonists from Europe in the 1600’s.

Dark Sweet Cherry varieties include Chelan, Sweetheart, Lapin, Sunburst, Stella, and others. The most popular, the ever-present Bing, originated in Oregon. And who do we have to thank for Bings? That is a little fuzzy, and the exact truth may be lost to history, but we do know it involved Quakers, the Oregon Trail and Chinese laborers.

This week, a look at the tragic roots of America’s favorite cherry.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is 'thank you,' that would suffice" - Eckhart von Hochheim (commonly known as Meister Eckhart or Eckehart, a German theologian, philosopher and mystic, c. 1260 – c. 1328)

   The Tragic Roots of America’s Favorite Cherry by fredwine on Scribd