Especially in Adana, Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep, the prominent cities of the Southeast Anatolia region of our country, people, even in hot weather he never stops eating hot pepper. Why, apart from being eaten, are warm climates famous for their bitterness?

If we look at different countries, it is known for its pain. Mexico and spicy India is at the top of the list. This situation, common not only in our country but also in the world, is actually an evolutionary adaptation!

Fresh, dried, pickled, in flakes, isot, paprika… Hot pepper, too many to count, is consumed like water in our country.

That must be because as a country we are used to pain. Although originally from South America we Turks like to eat pepper. We probably don’t even need to mention the bitter food culture famous for our country’s southeastern region.

If we go a little bit in the past from Mexico, Peru and the surrounding area 16th century We see that pepper was opened to Europe in the corresponding periods with Christopher Columbus. It probably also happened to us during this period.

It is a matter of curiosity that pain is often preferred, especially in warm regions.

As we’ve all guessed, food spoils much faster in hot weather than it does. The enzymes of bacteria at high temperatures work much more effectively in such weather. Considering that a technology such as a refrigerator did not exist in the past, A method has been developed to protect food from spoilage. should be. “But what does this method have to do with hot pepper?“Looks like we hear you say. Let’s explain right away.

Hot pepper contains capsaicin, a substance from the alkaloid group.

Capsaicin is the active ingredient of chili peppers. Simply put, it is the substance that makes the pepper bitter. This active ingredient also has an antimicrobial effect. About this subject Cornell University conducted a study. Paul Sherman, who led the investigation, and his team according to his research, capsaicin-containing substances do not contain fungi and bacteria; It also inhibits their reproduction. This greatly contributes to the longevity of food.

So there is a short and clear explanation of the purpose of using the pain in warm areas. Thus, hot pepper, which has the power to kill bacteria, can keep food fresh that can spoil in a hot climate. This situation, which affects everyday life and therefore culture, will have become an adaptation over time. The people of warm climate also lovingly consume the pain.