Piri piri

Piri piri (also spelled peri peri or pili pili), also known as African bird's eye chili, is a type of Capsicum frutescens, a species of chili pepper that originated in Southern Africa. The term 'piri piri' is Swahili for 'pepper pepper'. The pepper is a key ingredient in a variety of culinary dishes and sauces, most notably the Portuguese piri piri sauce.

History

The piri piri pepper is believed to have originated in Southern Africa and was spread by Portuguese explorers to other parts of the world, including India, Brazil, and Southeast Asia. The pepper is now grown in several African countries, including Mozambique, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Uganda.

Culinary Uses

Piri piri is used in a variety of dishes and sauces. The most famous of these is the Portuguese piri piri sauce, which is made from crushed chillies, citrus peel, onion, garlic, pepper, salt, lemon juice, bay leaves, paprika, pimiento, basil, oregano, and tarragon. This sauce is often used as a marinade for chicken, creating the popular dish known as Piri Piri Chicken.

In addition to the Portuguese cuisine, piri piri is also used in the cuisines of Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. It is often used in meat dishes, especially chicken and pork, and in fish and seafood dishes.

Health Benefits

Piri piri peppers are rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A, and they also contain significant amounts of Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin K. They are also a good source of dietary fiber and have a high content of capsaicin, a compound that has been shown to have several health benefits, including pain relief, reducing inflammation, and boosting metabolism.

See Also

• Capsicum
• Chili pepper
• Portuguese cuisine
• African cuisine