Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Capsicum Flower/ABC Wednesday

 C is for Capsicum Flower

We are all familiar with chili peppers but have you ever looked closely at the flower of this popular spice?  I was not even aware chili peppers have flowers---well, at the back of my mind, I know it has flowers but didn't really see them until the Christmas weekend I stayed at my brother's.

Chili pepper is the fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum.  It has been a part of the human diet in the Americas since 7500 B.C. and was introduced to Europe during the time of Columbus.  The spread of chili peppers to Asia was most likely a natural consequence of its introduction to Portuguese traders (Lisbon was a common port of call for Spanish ships sailing to and from the Americas) who aware of its trade value, would have likely promoted its commerce in the Asian spice trade routes then dominated by Portuguese and Arab traders.  Wiki


This capsicum is very important to my brother and his neighbors.  My brother even joked that he makes sure this plant is protected every time there is a typhoon.  The neighbors get their chili peppers from this plant; some of the ripe fruits are added to a vinegar dip we call "sinamak" that complements grilled pork, fish and shellfish; it also adds a kick to soy sauce, ceviche, and many fish, beef, pork and vegetable dishes.  The leaves are likewise added to a chicken and vegetable soup called Tinola.

The capsicum flowers are very tiny--the fruit is about an inch long, so you can image how small the flowers are.  No wonder I didn't notice them before.:p


 “He who controls the spice controls the universe.”  
~ Frank Herbert, Dune



 
Linking to
ABC Wednesday 

28 comments:

joy said...

Wow! Galing naman. Now I know the stoy of chili too. My favorite.

Marleen said...

Great photo's. Interesting story too, thanks for sharing.

EG CameraGirl said...

Very nice macro shots!

It's true that at one time whoever controlled the spices did control the universe.

Gerald (SK14) said...

lovely flowers but I really do not care for chilli.

photowannabe said...

I guess I always thought the chili was the flower.
This one is so delicate and lovely.

Leslie: said...

Never thought about whether they had flowers or not. Fascinating!

Leslie
abcw team

Unknown said...

Interesting that the flower and the fruit (pepper) are there at the same time, while with fruit trees it's first the flower, than the fruit! Beautiful little flower!

Photo Cache said...

I've never seen the bloom up close before. I was able to drive past a farm that had rows and rows of chili and they had white flowers I could tell, but didn't stop to look closely. Thanks.

Carver said...

Cool choice for C day. The flowers of a lot of vegetables are lovely in their own right. Carver, ABC Wed. Team

lotusleaf said...

Great shots! We can't do without chillies in India.

Roger Owen Green said...

I think it's interesting how we can see something without REALLY SEEING it.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Zizi Santos said...

Bom conhecer a flor do pimentão!
adorável!
bj
Zizi

Chubskulit Rose said...

I miss that kind of chili!

COINS
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Jama said...

We call it chilli padi or bird eyes chillies, very hot but a must have at home!

Hazel said...

I've seen its flowers but its the leaves I'm after. For the tinolang manok, lol!

LONDONLULU said...

I love the detail, I love seeing spices before they get dried, ground, and bottled up:) Wonderful.

Tania said...

I learned a lot of new things from your C! And I like chili very much:-)

♥♥ Willa ♥♥ said...

This is so neat! I haven't seen chili flower before, at least this close. :)
My ABC Wednesday

Sirisha said...

Wow thats a first time see for me! nice post.

Anonymous said...

Great pictures!!
Thank you sharing!!

“He who controls the spice controls the universe.”
~ Frank Herbert, Dune

..and my kitchen, that would be me:)

NatureFootstep said...

how interesting. Thanks for the info. :)

Unknown said...

Very pretty little flower. I've never seen a chili flower before.

Judy said...

You're right - I had never really7 thought about the blossoms, either. But of course they must be there...
I did not know the leaves could also be eaten!!!
Thank you!

DeniseinVA said...

Another wonderful post and thank you for also sharing this one with Today's Flowers. It's fascinating to learn about this plant with its pretty flower.

vincibene said...

Very interesting plant! Beautiful pictures.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I grew chilli, but I never look closeup.

Modern Mom said...

The flower is so pretty. Hope you'll find time to visit my entry.

mai said...

i love all of your shots of what we call siling labuyo. i also used to plant a lot of these in Mount Banahay although i don't use them at all when i cook, except for the leaves for tinola. the capcicum is a sturdy plant and will grow anywhere. your shots made its flowers and its entirety so beautiful.