Advertisment

Bird's eye chilli - They do pack a mean punch!

Don’t let their size mislead you. They may be tiny, but they do pack a mean spicy punch that...

New Update
 Birds eye chilli They do pack a mean punch

Don’t let their size mislead you. They may be tiny, but they do pack a mean spicy punch that belies their size. They may be small but these small, tapered red or green chillies are very pungent and extremely hot! Though they are sometimes called Thai chillies but actually are Mexican in origin. They are also often used in Chinese and South East Asian cooking.

What exactly is bird's eye chilli

They belong to the species Capsicum annuum, commonly found in Southeast Asia. Bird's eye chilli can also be found in India, in Meghalaya and Kerala where it is used in traditional dishes. It is also a main ingredient in kochchisambal, a salad made using freshly scraped coconut ground with bird's eye chillies and seasoned with salt and lemon juice. It is used extensively in Thai, Lao, Khmer, Indonesian, and Vietnamese cuisine too.

How spicy are they

Measuring 50,000-100,000 scovilles, this tiny chilli originated in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, The Philippines, and surrounding countries, but they can now be found all over the world. They are presumably called Bird’s Eye Chilli because of their small round shape and because they have been spread by birds. 

The Bird’s Eye is generally red at maturity, but may also be yellow, purple or black. They are very popular in cuisine from the areas mentioned above, and they add quite a punch to many types of dishes, including pastas, soups, sauces, dips, and more.

Health benefits of these chillies

Historically, they have been used as a natural remedy for arthritis, rheumatism, flatulence and toothache.

Recent studies prove that by consuming just a little chilli (fresh or dried) daily, can help get better sleep and also sleep longer. And adding a little fresh-cut chilli to your evening meal may also help you feel more awake the next day. 

Studies also show that by regularly consuming chillies, your heart will be healthy since it helps lower cholesterol thus keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range, and allows more blood to reach the heart. 

Be cautious though

Here is a word of caution. If you are not used to their pungency, they can cause the stomach lining to get inflamed. Cayenne pepper however could heal and kill off any bad bacteria that might be causing the inflammation, pain and heartburn. .

Advertisment