Chilis: Biology, History, Travels, Cuisine

3 credits · Undergraduate

Chili peppers are used worldwide. They are grown in astonishing variety even though they are used most often to flavor food. Yet the first chile peppers evolved in what Europeans call the New World (Central and South America). How do we know chilis came from the New World? How did they get to Europe, Africa, India, China? Why are chilis hot (when some foods are sweet)? What are some foods that we can make with chilis?