Moments with Yaya
Chilli
Yaya is a little nervous of tasting a chilli. It’s a funny looking fruit, with a smooth red or green skin. Yes, chilli’s are not a vegetable, they are in fat a fruit! But she has seen her dad eat them, and seen how his eye well up with tears when he chews them. That can’t be good, can it? But Yaya is learning the healthy benefits of chilli’s, and how you can incorporate them into your meals without having them burn your mouth. Chilli’s can be cooked into meals or served raw as a spicy and tasty relish or garnish to accompany your meals. Chilli’s can also be dried and used whole or crushed up into your food when cooking and preparing meals.
LEARN ABOUT EATING CHILLI
There are over 400 different kinds of chilli’s in the world. Some well-known names in the chilli family include jalapeño, serrano, poblano, yellow wax, bird’s eye, habarnero and cayenne. Chilli’s can be used as a natural pain killer, as they release a powerful chemical that triggers the brain and increases the endorphins in the body. Chilli’s are actually known for their benefits of helping people who suffer from arthritis. Chilli’s are packed with Vitamin A and are a natural antioxidant, which keeps your body healthy. The part of the chilli’s that actually burns your mouth is the white layer inside the skin, which surround the pips. Chilli’s are used in curries, stews, tacos, and a lot of Mexican and Indian meals. Believe it or not, but the smaller the chilli, the hotter it is to the mouth. The spiciness from a chilly comes from an ingredient in the fruit called capsaicin.
Everyone has a different tolerance to chilli’s. For instance, people that live in parts of the world that chilli’s originate from, feel the heat of this little fruit far less than others. Chilli’s are known to taste a lot better when they are cooked. If your mouth is on fire from eating a chilly, it’s best to drink a glass of milk and not water. Any dairy product alleviates the burning from a fiery chilly. If you have touched a chilly, try not to touch your eyes or face, as you could end up feeling a terrible burning sensation which is not easy to get rid of.
Although Yaya may not eat a chilli like an apple or peach, she will defiantly eat them in one of dad’s yummy curries.
