“A soul that does not eat pepper is a weak soul” That is a wise saying I heard from my Dad almost every day as I grew up. My father believed that if there was no chilli in your food, your food is not tasty. And such a one is not healthy. Was he right? I guess we are about to find out.

There are a thousand and one different types of pepper all over the world. Such as: Bell pepper, habanero, cayenne, jalapeño, hot lemon, Tabasco and Scotch Bonnet. The particular one I want to talk about right now is the Scotch Bonnet Pepper! One of the hottest if not the hottest pepper in the whole world. The Scotch Bonnet has various domestic uses such as being made into insecticide, jam or jelly it has many health benefits. Scotch bonnet pepper grows across the tropical countries and is used in a number of African dishes.

About Scotch Bonnet Pepper

Scotch bonnet pepper grows in the tropical countries and is also called the flower pepper or Bonney pepper. It got its name from the description of its shape which is similar to that of a Scottish man’s hat. Scotch bonnet is one of the very hot peppers if not the hottest pepper in the world, you can’t or should not eat too much of it at a time. The heat in pepper is in an antioxidant it contains. This antioxidant is called capsaicin. Scotch bonnet pepper comes in four colours, red, orange, yellow and green. It has a unique smoky flavour and a fruit like taste. This pepper grows all year round and is very very low in calories. When ever you handle scotch bonnet pepper, you have to wash your hands thoroughly with soap. The sting will stay on your hands if you don’t wash them and any other part of your body you touch will feel it. Better still put on a pair of gloves before touching scotch bonnet pepper.

Uses of Scotch Bonnet Pepper

• In making sauces, soups, porridge s, omelettes and so many meals.
• Used in heating up and flavouring dishes
• Used in seasoning fish, poultry and meat before cooking, BBQ or baking
• Used in making chilli jam
• Used in making chilli jelly
• Scotch bonnet pepper is used as a natural insecticide.

Nutrients in Scotch Bonnet

• Scotch Bonnet is high in vitamins A, C and K.
• Contains an antioxidant called Capsaicin.
• Contains Copper and Iron.

Health Benefits in Scotch Bonnet

• Boosts body immunity with the vitamin C content.
• Fights cancer, reduces inflammation and sinusitis with the aid of its antioxidant called capsaicin
• Vitamin A content helps maintain healthy eyes
• Sweating while eating Scotch Bonnet shows It increases the body metabolism.
• When eating Scotch Bonnet the nose starts running, that mucus is bringing virus and bacteria out of the body.
• The Iron and Copper content in Scorch Bonnet makes it great in blood cell formation

Scotch Bonnet Pepper Recipes

Sauce – Ingredients: 4 big tomatoes, 1 bell pepper, 1 scotch bonnet, 1 medium onion, spices and 2 tablespoons your choice of oil.

Method: Blend the fresh ingredients into a smooth paste. Warm the oil in a pot, add the blended paste and boil till thick.

Beans porridge – Ingredients: 2 cups of beans (cowpeas), 1 medium onion, 1 Scotch Bonnet, 2 tb sp palm oil, salt.
Method: (1) Pick the beans. (2) Rinse the beans. (3) Chop or grate the onion and scotch bonnet pepper. (4) Put rinsed beans in a pot with 4 cups of water. (5) Add the chopped onion and pepper. Boil on low heat till soft. (6) Add oil and salt, simmer for 5 minutes. Mix and serve.

Meat – Boiling: wash chunks of meat into a pot add one whole Scotch Bonnet and spices. Boil till tender. This gives the meat and gravy some heat and a unique delicious flavour.

Jam – Ingredients: 50g Scotch Bonnet Pepper, 50g Red bell peppers, 300g Jam Sugar, 200ml cider vinegar.

Method: (1) Remove all seeds from the peppers. (2) Chop all the peppers into flacks. (3) Pour the vinegar into a pot, add sugar and boil till sugar dissolves. (4) Add the flaked peppers, boil on low heat till it is thick and honey like in texture. (5) Leave it to cool then store it in a bowl or jar.

Chilli jam tastes good with cheese and cold meats

Things not too good with Scotch Bonnet

It may cause a rectal burning feel when one is pooping.

When you hold scotch bonnet pepper to cut it or use it in any other way, you have to wash your hands with soap immediately. The sting stays on your hand if you don’t and can irritate any part of your body that hand touches. It is even better to put on some gloves before holding scotch bonnet pepper.

Heart burn – you may have a heart burn after eating something with Scotch Bonnet Pepper in it if you do not eat this pepper often.

The Why you should include Scotch Bonnet in your meals

Scotch bonnet pepper is one of the hottest peppers on the planet, it grows in the tropical countries and has many uses. It is included in many dips, sauces, soups, stews and meals. It can even be made into an insecticide. Remember to put on your gloves when handling Scotch Bonnet Pepper. They have so many health benefits you cannot afford not to have them in your meals. They build your immunity, boost your body metabolism, eject viruses from your body, improves your eyesight, aids blood cell formation and even fights cancer!

My Dad was right! 

Add a bit of it to each of your meals every day and enjoy the benefits of scotch bonnet!

What does chilli jam taste or feel like?

Here’s your big chance! Click on the link below to try it.