Clear Answers for Common Questions

What are Jalapeños? Jalapeños are a type of hot pepper, also known as Capsicum annuum. Jalapeños appear in traditional South American cuisine and are also popular around the world to add spiciness to dishes. The small green peppers are readily obtainable in most grocery stores, along with a more ... What are the Different Types of Peppers? Peppers can be split into two groups, sweet peppers and hot peppers. The second group may also be referred to as chiles or chili peppers. Peppers are a New World food, first noted by Europeans during Columbus’ voyage to the West Indies. Peppers were also found in abundance across South ... What Are Different Kinds of Hot Peppers? Hot peppers are an integral part of the culinary tradition of many nations, appearing in spicy sauces, salsas, marinades, and everything else cooks can imagine. Hot peppers have their origins in South America and the Caribbean, although they were introduced to Europe along with a variety of other New World ... What is a Habanero Pepper? A habanero pepper is one of the spiciest types of chili peppers. The meaning of habanero is "from Havana" and the habanero pepper was transported from Cuba to the Yucatan Peninsula. Today, habaneros are grown mainly in the Yucatan, but also in Costa Rica, Belize, California and Texas. Habanero peppers ... What is a Chipotle Pepper? The chipotle pepper is a smoked or dried jalapeño pepper. The smoked chipotle pepper originated in the area surrounding Mexico City. Peoples prior to the Aztec civilization were thought to have invented the chipotle pepper. The peppers may have been smoked to keep them from rotting, since the jalape ... What is a Datil Pepper? A datil pepper is a fruit of the genus Capsicum, which also includes bell peppers, jalapenos, habaneros and all other fruits known as peppers. The datil pepper in unique because it is extremely hot, similar to a habanero, but also sweet and fruity. The name of the datil pepper is ... What is a Scoville Heat Unit? Scoville Heat Units are used to specify of the hotness of food, specifically chili peppers. In 1912 Wilbur Scoville, devised a system to determine how hot foods are. He used a panel of tasters to provide heat scores for different peppers. Although we still use Wilbur's name for the ... What is Capsicum? Capsicum refers to a wide variety of tropical pepper plants with the genus of the same name. The name is perhaps derived from the Latin "capsa," or box for the pod-like fruit. Capsicum also refers to the fruit produced by any of these plants, in particular the dried fruits ... What is Capsaicin? Capsaicin is the chemical compound that makes chili peppers taste hot. It is a skin irritant to humans (and pets), and can cause a burning sensation if applied to the skin. Capsaicin, or more commonly, ingredients containing high amounts of capsaicin, are widely used as flavorings in spicy cuisines. All ... What are some Dishes Prepared With Jalapenos? Jalapeno peppers are very important part of South American and Central American cuisines. The jalapeno is a small chile pepper that offers hot, spicy flavor to dishes. Jalapenos are almost exclusively red or green. Some of them have patches of each color. In Mexico, the jalapeno has a number of ... How can I Make Roasted Peppers? Roasted peppers are a wonderful addition to many meals. Smack a roasted red pepper on a plain turkey sandwich, and you will know what happiness is. Roasted peppers are great in pasta sauces, salsas, pasta salads and just about anything else that you’d like to add a sweet, smoky ... What are the Different Types of Hot Sauces? "Hot sauce" as a specific term refers to liquids used as food flavoring which are made using a chile pepper and vinegar. More generally, the term is used to refer to any flavoring for food that adds spice to the meal. There are thousands of brands of hot sauce, made ... What is Pepper Jelly? Pepper jelly is exactly what it sounds like - jelly made out of any variety of the fruit known as peppers. Because of the wide variety of flavors found in the Capsicum family, the scientific classification for peppers, pepper jelly can be found to suit many different tastes. Pepper jelly may ... What is Pepper Spray? Pepper spray is a non-lethal weapon designed to spray into the face of an attacker. Pepper spray affects the mucous membranes, causing capillaries in the eyes to instantaneously dilate to the point of temporary blindness. Tissues lining the bronchial tube also swell, making it difficult for the attacker to ... What is Mace? Mace is a registered brand name of a non-lethal self-defense spray, manufactured by Mace Security International, headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Mace Inc. has two main divisions, one of which sells security products. Mace Inc. makes three different formulas of self-defense spray: Triple Action, PepperGard or ... Are Jalapenos and their Stems and Leaves Harmful to Dogs? As a general rule, dogs should not be given people food, because it is simply not compatible with their digestive systems. However, any dog owner knows that keeping a dog away from the garden, the trashcan, and the kitchen counter during food preparation can be quite a challenge. Dog owners ... What is Halitosis? Halitosis is the medical term for offensive breath. Halitosis is usually caused by tooth decay, gum problems, smoking, or mild digestive upsets. It can also be a sign of uremia, cirrhosis of the liver, or lung or sinus infections. Someone who as minty acetone-like breath may be a sign ... What Causes Hiccups? From a physical standpoint, hiccups are caused by uncontrolled spasms of the diaphragm. Each spasm causes quick intake of breath, which makes a hiccup. The phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm, is directly responsible for these spasms. From a physiological standpoint, the medical community has not reached a consensus on ... What is GERD? Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is the excessive flow of stomach acid into the esophagus which can damage the esophagus and other parts of the body. Severe and/or frequent heartburn is the main symptom of GERD. GERD can create harmful complications in the body if left untreated. The esophagus is ... What is Indigestion? Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a broad description of several different stomach ailments. Under the indigestion umbrella are conditions such as acid reflux, heartburn, bloating, and gastritis. Essentially, indigestion is the result of consuming too many spicy, fibrous, or fatty foods too quickly. The stomach's acids become temporarily ... What is Post-Nasal Drip? Everyone knows how miserable it is to be sick or to suffer through an intense allergy season: your eyes may water and feel itchy or puffy, areas of your face may feel puffy or sore from pressurized sinuses… and then there is that constant drip in the back of your ... What are the Risks of Gastritis? Gastritis is an umbrella term used to describe a number of medical conditions characterized by an inflamed stomach lining. Additional symptoms associated include vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, weight loss, abdominal bleeding, blood in the stool or vomit, a feeling of fullness or a burning sensation in the stomach, and excessive ... What are Home Remedies for Heartburn? Heartburn, also known as bloating, indigestion, dyspepsia, and borborygmus, is a medical condition resulting in chest pain or abdominal discomfort after eating or drinking. Other symptoms of heartburn include a burning sensation or pressure in the area around the breastbone, mild nausea, and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen ... How Can I Treat Bad Breath? To determine the best way to treat bad breath, or halitosis, you must first determine the cause of the problem. Usually, bad breath is caused by bacteria that grow in the mouth. The most effective treatment for bad breath caused by the accumulation of bacteria is proper oral hygiene. This ...