Do you like it hot?
I do!
I like hot weather & hot, spicy food. Now, don’t let me mislead you. My tolerance had to be built and compared to many friends, my tolerance isn’t impressive.
At 19, I’m not gonna lie, I was a wimp for hot stuff. I could hardly eat the famous ‘Buffalo’ wings growing up in Central New York. But I built up my tolerance living in Southern California eating lots of yummy, authentic Mexican food. Despite sniffling with watering eyes eating my way through India at age 25, it was a most amazing experience.
As a result, Indian and Mexican food are my 2 favorites.
But before we start talking about eating chili peppers for breakfast and all the delicious peppers we grow here and what we do with them- let’s look at their historical importance.
They actually helped prevent spoilage, which was very important in warm climates. In cold climates, you could “freeze” your food in snow or even place it in a frozen pond but in warm climates food would spoil quickly.
This is where spices come into play. Many spices contain antibacterial/anti-microbial properties, which would aid in preventing food spoilage.
Benefits of Chili Peppers
Promotes a Healthy Heart
Helps with Allergies
Capsaicin found in hot peppers is an anti-inflammatory, which can aid in preventing allergies and addressing the symptoms of allergies.
Prevents Bad Breath
Eating hot peppers can keep your breath smelling fresh??
Apparently hot peppers can disinfect the mouth. Eating hot peppers, using hot sauce and/or hot pepper powder is one way of preventing bad breath.
Fights Cold, Flu, & Fungal Infections
Since hot peppers are full of antioxidants, eating them is a great way of boosting your immune system. When it comes to fungal infections, it has been discovered that hot peppers will fight against 16 fungal strains by attacking fungal pathogens that can cause an assortment of problems.
May Reduce Cancer Risk
So recent studies have shown that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of hot peppers can shrink cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone.
It is showing promise in prostate, breast, pancreatic, and bladder cancers. Now the kicker in this approach though is you must consume eight large habaneros per week to get results…
Hot Peppers Benefit The Digestive Tract
This may sound a bit odd especially if you have an ulcer. Many individuals for years have been told to avoid spicy foods if they have digestive tract problems.
Studies have shown spicy foods CAN HELP if you have digestive tract issues.
It has been found that antioxidants and other substances found in hot peppers help heal an upset stomach, reduce gas, & aid in reducing cramping and diarrhea. Hot peppers also reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, which can lead to ulcers. Hot peppers also increase salvia production along with other gastric juices, which aid in the digestive process.
But if you’re not used to spicy food hot peppers can temporarily worsen GI issues so take it slow! Incorporate chilis into your diet gradually.
Helps with Migraines, Arthritis and Neuropathy
The ingestion and even external application of capsaicin has been shown to cause an endorphin response, which can help block pain receptors in humans. This can be extremely beneficial to those who suffer from bothersome conditions such as arthritis, headaches, or even neuropathic pain.
“The endorphins work to block the heat. The body produces them in response to the heat, which it senses as pain,” explains Paul Bosland, co-founder and director of New Mexico State University’s Chile Pepper Institute.
Promotes Weight Loss
So Let’s Talk About The Abundance of Peppers We Grow At Oak Spring
Jalapeños: An essential ingredient in our homemade salsa. Whipping up a quick batch of fresh salsa is so easy and a summertime favorite. I love to pickle them and ‘put them up’ using them on sandwiches all winter long. Keep an eye out for jars of OSF pickled Jalapeños. And don’t forget about jalapeños as the party pleaser at all your potlucks and summer events!
Remember: we grow them hot here so they have lots of capsaicin!
Padrons: Some like it REALLY hot.
That’s our Padrons. Red means extra hot. These are a pepper served in Spanish Tapa restaurants. There’s a game where the person who get’s the 1 in 10 hot one drinks. Well everybody would be drinking here. When they are quite small, young and green they can be milder.
Red Rocket Cayennes: These are the peppers used in Ristas. These peppers star in my delicious Smokin’ Cayenne Pepper sauce!
They can be dried and stored too. Use them as flakes or make a powder. They are a multipurpose pepper.
Poblanos:
These are the peppers famous for Chili Rellenos. I love them roasted with other veggies for my sheet pan meal. They are not too hot. We grow them plenty big to stuff with cheese and cover in a yummy sweet tomato sauce.
So now that you know why you should eat chili peppers for breakfast let’s talk about how to eat chili peppers for breakfast.
- Hot sauce on your eggs.
- Freshly chopped jalapeños and salsa in your breakfast wrap.
- Hueves Rancheros
- Freshly chopped hot peppers sprinkled over breakfast potatoes smothered in cheese & sour cream.
- Chilis or chili powder in your smoothie!
Aside from breakfast I sneak a tablespoon of hot sauce or freshly chopped hot peppers into all kinds of things. Think hamburgers, meatloaf, pasta & pizza sauce, fresh salsa, appetizer dips like hummus and creamy dips…the list goes on.
Add some spice into your life today for increased health.
See you at the market!
