What Are Scotch Bonnet Peppers? Benefits and Side Effects

Scotch Bonnet Peppers post came from comments received after posting on Foodstuff List/Food Ingredients in Nigeria – 50+ Top list

Since I have already shared the list of Nigeria foodstuffs, it’s logical that a detailed explanation on each ingredient should follow next right?

Hence, the ingredient I will be discussing extensively today is Scotch Bonnet Peppers.

Pepper is such a unique vegetable owing to its spicy hot flavor that makes it widely tolerable for spicing and flavoring food.

Different parts of the world have different classes and types of pepper namely; white pepper, Chili pepper, datil pepper, numex twilight, black pepper, Carolina Reaper, ghost pepper, Jolokia Pepper, Naga Viper, peter pepper, and so on.

What Are Scotch Bonnet Peppers?

We have a thousand and one different types of pepper globally. One of the hottest on earth is Scotch Bonnet Peppers.

Scotch Bonnet, which is also known as Bonney peppers, Caribbean red peppers, flower pepper, Ata Rodo, or Fresh Pepper is a variety of chili pepper. It has a unique smoky flavor and a fruit-like taste.

In Nigeria, it is generally used in many dishes to make the food spicy. Hence, if you hate spicy food, it’s best to stay away from this particular ingredient or use sparingly.

Alternatively, you can lessen a lot of the heat from the Scotch bonnet or any type of pepper, by removing its seeds along with the membrane found inside the pepper – this is where most of the heat is stored.

Scotch bonnet pepper comes in four colors, red, orange, yellow, and green. The yellow version (Ose Nsukka) is extra spicy and has a much different flavor from the red and green, I use the yellow ones for soups especially Banga soup

This pepper is very low in calories, grows all year round across the tropical countries, and is used in many African dishes.

About Scotch Bonnet Pepper

Scotch bonnets got their name because of their appearance which is comparable to that of a Scottish man’s hat.

Whenever you touch scotch bonnet pepper, you have to wash your hands carefully with soap.

The heat in the pepper will stay on your hands if you don’t wash them and any other part of your body you touch will feel it.

This heat in pepper is an antioxidant called capsaicin.

Uses of Scotch Bonnet Pepper

• These peppers are used to flavor many different dishes and cuisines globally and are often used in hot sauces and condiments.
• Seasoning: they are used in the seasoning of fish, poultry, and meat before cooking, or baking, BBQ.
• Used in making chili jam and jelly
• Scotch bonnet pepper is used as a natural insecticide in farmlands and gardens for removing insects, nematodes, etc.

Nutritional Values of Scotch Bonnet Peppers 

• Scotch bonnet peppers are an excellent source of phytochemicals and vitamins such as A, C, and K.
• It contains Copper and Iron and an antioxidant called Capsaicin.

Health Benefits of Scotch Bonnet Peppers

1. Pain Treatment
   Scotch bonnet peppers can be used as a substitute for treating diverse kinds of pain such as; headaches, osteoarthritis pain, rheumatoid pain, painful diabetic neuropathy, and inflammatory heat due to the presence of capsaicin in them.
2. Relieves Chest Congestion
   Scotch bonnet peppers can be used for making local medicines and soups that can be taken to get rid of chest congestion and for preventing sinusitis.
   Treatment of Asthma
   the roots of scotch bonnet peppers can be used be preparing local medicines that can be used for treating asthma.
3. Weight Management
   Scotch bonnet pepper is a good source of capsaicin, which researchers have discovered to be proficient in lessening extra body fat build-up.

Therefore, if you want to shed some weight, don’t forget to include some realistic quantity of scotch bonnet peppers in your food.

4. Ornamental Purposes-Peppers can be used as a decorative and ornamental plant due to its colorful presence particularly when ripe.
5. Coloring Agent
   Peppers can be used for coloring food because of their strong colors such as paprika pepper, purple pepper, red long peppers, and cayenne peppers, etc.

Side Effects

Chili peppers are not good for everyone, we eat very hot peppers, the brain receives “pain” signals that can result in an upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting,

Also, they trigger a burning sensation and the stomach reacts as if you’ve consumed a toxic substance and works to release whatever was just eaten.

Where Can I Buy/Get Scotch Bonnet Peppers Near Me

It is sold at affordable prices in all Nigerian markets. Nigerian markets especially Yoruba based markets will not be the same if they don’t have chili peppers.

Disclaimer

Don’t forget always consult your healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions.

This post is for enlightenment purposes only and should not be mistaken as a replacement for professional diagnostic and treatments.

Refer to your healthcare provider before making any health-related choices or for counseling, assistance and treatment about a particular medical condition.