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Calling all spice lovers! November is National Pepper Month and it's time to celebrate the versatility and flavor of this beloved ingredient. Did you know that peppers have been used for thousands of years in cooking and medicine? From mild bell peppers to fiery chili peppers, there are endless varieties to choose from. Not only do they add a kick to our favorite dishes, but they also provide numerous health benefits. So let's give a round of applause (and maybe a few sneezes) for this amazing food as we embark on a month-long celebration of all things pepper!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1493</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Pepper Discovery by Columbus</div><div class='timeline-text'>Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas’ chili peppers and brought them back to Europe, transforming global cuisine.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1600s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Peppers in North American Cuisine</div><div class='timeline-text'>Peppers became a commonly used ingredient in North American cuisine during the 17th century, particularly in the southern regions.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Commercial Pepper Farming</div><div class='timeline-text'>The commercial farming of peppers began in the 19th century, largely in South America and Asia, contributing to their global accessibility.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1989</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Chili Cook-Off Culture Rise</div><div class='timeline-text'>The late 20th century saw the rise in popularity of chili cook-offs, where spiciness and unique pepper-use became celebrated culinary aspects.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Scientific Benefits of Capsaicin</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the early 21st century, scientific studies began highlighting the health benefits of capsaicin, the active component in spicy peppers.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2009</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First National Pepper Month</div><div class='timeline-text'>November is declared National Pepper Month for the first time, initiating an annual celebration of this spice’s culinary and health values.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a pepper-themed dinner party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends over for a dinner party where every dish incorporates peppers in some way. From appetizers to desserts, challenge yourself to get creative with this versatile ingredient.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a local pepper farm or festival</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a trip to a nearby pepper farm or attend a pepper festival to learn more about different types of peppers and their uses. You may even find some unique and delicious pepper products to bring home.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create your own hot sauce</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Experiment with different combinations of peppers, spices, and other ingredients to create your own personalized hot sauce. This can be a fun activity to do with friends or family, and you'll have a tasty condiment to enjoy afterwards.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Challenge yourself to try a new pepper dish each week</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Expand your palette by trying a new pepper dish every week for the entire month. Whether it's a spicy curry or a stuffed bell pepper, you'll discover new flavors and maybe even find a new favorite meal.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a chili cook-off with friends</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends and have a friendly competition to see who can make the best chili using different types of peppers. You can even make it more interesting by having everyone vote for their favorite chili and giving out prizes.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Peppers add flavor to any dish</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>From mild bell peppers to spicy chili peppers, these versatile veggies can enhance the flavor of any dish. Whether you're cooking a savory stir-fry or a creamy soup, adding some peppers can take your meal to the next level.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>They come in a variety of colors and tastes</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>There are so many types of peppers - from sweet red bell peppers to smoky poblano peppers and heat-packed habanero peppers. Each type brings its own unique taste and texture, making it easy to experiment with different flavors in your cooking.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Peppers are packed with nutrients</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Not only do peppers add great taste to food, they also come with a host of health benefits. They're rich in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants and fiber. So not only are they delicious, but they're good for you too!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Peppers Are Fruits, Not Vegetables</h3><p class='facts-content'>Botanically speaking, peppers are fruits because they contain seeds and come from the flowering part of plants. However, in culinary uses, they are often referred to as vegetables due to their savory taste.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Green, Red, Yellow and Orange Bell Peppers Are Actually The Same Pepper At Different Stages of Ripeness</h3><p class='facts-content'>Bell peppers start out green and change color as they mature. The varying colors indicate different levels of ripeness and sweetness. Green is less ripe hence more bitter, while red is fully ripe and sweet.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The small 'Bubble-Like' Marks on Capsicum Show Their Gender</h3><p class='facts-content'>Peppers with three bumps or lobes on the bottom are considered male and are better for cooking due to their lower sugar content. The ones with four bumps or lobes are female and are sweeter and better for eating raw.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There's a Scale to Measure the Spiciness of Peppers</h3><p class='facts-content'>Known as Scoville Heat Units (SHU), this scale measures the spiciness of peppers. The Carolina Reaper currently holds the title for the world's hottest pepper, with a rating of over 2 million SHU.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Capsaicin, Which Causes the Heat, Has Several Medicinal Properties</h3><p class='facts-content'>Besides giving peppers their signature spice, capsaicin has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation, improve digestive health and metabolism, and even fend off cancer cells.</p></div></div>
National Pepper Month is celebrated on November 1 every year. In 2024, National Pepper Month will occur on a Friday.
2023
Nov 1
Wednesday
2024
Nov 1
Friday
2025
Nov 1
Saturday
2026
Nov 1
Sunday
2027
Nov 1
Monday
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