chili peppers

Chili peppers (genus Capsicum) are fruits used worldwide as a spice, condiment, and vegetable. Their heat is measured on the Scoville scale and comes from capsaicinoids, primarily capsaicin. In food technology, chili peppers are processed into powders, flakes, pastes, sauces, and oleoresins for use in seasonings, preservatives, and functional food applications.