Is Chilli a Pepper?

Pepper and chili plants have two totally different geneses. A pepper is a member of the genus “Piper” while chilies are members of the genus “Capsicum.” The berries in plants of the Piper genus contain piperine, a chemical associated with a biting sensation.

What is considered a chili pepper?

Chili pepper, any of several species and cultivars of very hot, pungent peppers in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). ... Many of the most-common chili peppers are cultivars of Capsicum annuum, including the cayenne, jalapeño, serrano, and Thai chili peppers. Some of the hottest chili peppers are cultivars of C.

Why chilli is called pepper?

When Christopher Columbus and his crew reached the Caribbean, they were the first Europeans to encounter Capsicum. They called them "peppers" because, like black pepper of the genus Piper known in Europe, they have a spicy, hot taste unlike other foods.