The History of Red Pepper Flakes

Red pepper flakes come from the dried, ripened fruit pods of hot peppers in the Capsicum species. Most commonly, red pepper flakes come from cultivars in the Capsicum annuum species such as cayenne, jalapeño, Thai peppers, or New Mexico chilies. Red peppers originated in Central and South America and were later brought to Europe by explorers. Specifically, it is thought that Christopher Columbus introduced red peppers to Europe and gave them their English name. However, it was Portuguese traders who popularized them all over the world, particularly in India and throughout Asia. They are now cultivated throughout the world. Red peppers and other capsicum fruits are some of the oldest cultivated crops in the Americas and have been part of the human diet since around 7,500 BC. They were also commonly used for medicinal purposes. Today, red pepper flakes are a common spice in many kitchens around the world and are particularly popular in Italian, Indian, Mexican, and Caribbean cuisine.