
Kat Jones

Fire it up
For many of us, we can get used to sticking with the same tried-and-true crops; the ones we know we like and will eat. The one we know will not offend or shock us in the garden, kitchen, or local neighborhood pot luck. While this strategy is a great place to start, why not step out of the comfortable vegetable zone this year and try something that will make you sweat, squirm, and eventually, smile. This season is a perfect time to get started on some hot peppers and to pique your interest, let’s get to know these spicy characters!
Centuries before the creation of the Scoville heat test, around 7500 BCE to be more precise, people in the Americas cultivated and used hot peppers as a staple ingredient in their diets. Though technically peppers are considered a berry, they are often used in both sweet and savory dishes and can be incorporated fresh or dried to add heat and flavor to a variety of dishes, such as chocolate or Chiles Rellenos! The compound that gives hot peppers their infamous heat is called capsaicin. Interestingly, cultures which utilize capsaicin regularly in their diets are often located in geographically warmer climates, which can seem paradoxical considering capsaicin tends to raise the body’s temperature slightly. However, breaking a sweat is one of the only natural cooling mechanisms the body has, and for humans that have limited access to food, breaking a sweat while not expending precious calories is a critical development for survival.
While many people find entertainment in sweating it out by sampling spicy morsels from Scoville’s scale, capsaicin can also be useful for healing or pain management purposes as well. Traditionally, capsaicin was thought to be a pain substitute whereby patients would inflict a burning sensation on their bodies to distract from their main source of pain. Although this is not the way capsaicin works in the body, using it as a healing compound is actually somewhat effective. In reality, capsaicin works to exhaust pain receptors to that they become less sensitive over time. This is why consuming small levels of spicy foods over time can increase one’s tolerance for heat and therefore, expand one’s palate for adventure!
Here at Mountain Valley Seed, we have a variety of hot peppers to try this season; everything from the mildly tingle Jalapeno Tam to the tear-inducing Scorpion Butch T pepper.
Happy Planting!
Our Recommended Picks
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
0 Comments
No Comments yet! Be the first to start a conversation
Further Reading
How to Improve Soil Fertility Naturally: Tips for a Thriving Garden
Written By Lara Wadsworth Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, one thing's for sure: the secret to a thriving garden lies beneath your feet. Garden soil fertility is a major contributor to plant health and the overall productivit...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-07-167 min read0Garden Guardians: The Top Beneficial Insects for Natural Pest Control
Written By Lara Wadsworth The garden is a complex ecosystem that relies on a mix of organisms to create a flourishing growing environment. While pests can lead to destructive damage, beneficial insects act as a balance by consuming them before they com...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-07-155 min read6Soil Amendments for Increasing Water Retention
Written By Lara Wadsworth You’re likely here because you suspect that your garden or potting soil is not holding onto water long enough for the plants to use it. Water retention is crucial for plant health and can be the difference between a thriving v...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-07-096 min read0Grass to Garden: A Beginner’s Guide to Rototilling Your Lawn
Written By Lara Wadsworth Turn a patch of grass, weeds, or turf into a ready-to-plant garden bed with the rototilling method. While no-till gardens have been gaining popularity, completely transforming your growing area from thick turf to a thriving ve...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-07-097 min read1