Crushed red pepper facts for kids
Crushed red pepper, also called red pepper flakes, is a popular spice that adds a kick to many dishes. It's made from dried and crushed red chili peppers. These peppers are usually a type called cayenne, but different kinds can be used. They typically have a medium level of spiciness, measured on the Scoville scale. You might find crushed red pepper in things like soups, sausage, and especially on pizza.
In Turkey, a similar spice with fewer seeds is called pul biber. A special kind from Turkey is urfa pul biber, also known as isot.
What is Crushed Red Pepper?
Crushed red pepper gets its spicy heat from compounds found in capsicum peppers. These peppers start out green and then turn orange-red or deep red as they ripen. They grow best in warm, sunny weather, usually between 70 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit (21-29 degrees Celsius).
To make crushed red pepper, one or more types of red chili peppers are used. Some common peppers include Jalapeños, serranos, and Anaheim chilis. This spice is often found in many different foods, especially in Italian, Indian, Mexican, and Caribbean dishes.
Over time, crushed red pepper can lose some of its spiciness. It usually stays good for about 12 to 18 months. Today, China and Turkey are among the top countries that produce a lot of crushed red pepper.
The Story of Crushed Red Pepper
Red chili peppers belong to the Solanaceae family, also known as the nightshade family. They were first discovered in Central and South America. People have been harvesting and using them for a very long time, since about 7,500 BC!
When Spanish explorers were looking for black pepper, they found these red peppers instead. They brought them back to Europe, and from there, the peppers were traded to Asian countries. Indian cooks especially loved using them in their dishes.
The village of Bukovo in North Macedonia is often given credit for creating crushed red pepper. In many languages in Southeast Europe, the name of the village is now used for crushed red pepper itself. For example, it's called "bukovska piper" in Macedonian and "boukovo" in Greek.
In the 1800s, people from Southern Italy helped make crushed red pepper very popular. When they moved to the U.S., they brought their love for this spice with them. Crushed red pepper was served at some of the oldest Italian restaurants in the U.S. Today, you'll often find shakers of crushed red pepper on tables at Mediterranean restaurants, especially at pizza places, all around the world.
