Cheongyang Chili Peppers and Italy’s Peperoncino Bring Out the Heat in Food

Koreans have long been accustomed to spicy flavors. Kimchi, one of Korea’s most distinctive foods, is said to have begun as white baek-kimchi, but after chili peppers were introduced to Korea, it evolved over time into today’s kimchi made with red chili powder. There is even a theory that Japanese troops brought intensely hot chili peppers during the Imjin War in an attempt to poison the people of Joseon, but the peppers suited Korean tastes so perfectly that they instead became established in the country. It could therefore be said that Koreans’ love of spicy food has been demonstrated throughout history.

Chili Peppers Used as Sweeteners

The best-known variety in Korea is the Cheongyang chili pepper, a plant prized for its distinctively intense heat. Countless dishes make use of its spiciness, and it can be described as a magical ingredient that does not detract from a dish’s original flavor, no matter what food it accompanies. Because the Cheongyang chili pepper’s distinctive aroma is so strong that some find it difficult to eat, and because it cannot be stored for long, our ancestors showed practical wisdom by drying chili peppers and grinding them into powder. As a result, chili powder became an essential sweetener indispensable to Korean cuisine.

A Foreign Chili Pepper: Peperoncino

As dining culture has become increasingly Westernized in recent years, the number of restaurants specializing in foreign cuisines has continued to grow. Among their ingredients are foreign chili peppers that have won over Koreans, who enjoy spicy flavors. In particular, Italy’s firm peperoncino balances the bold flavors of Italian food with its distinctive aroma, while adding heat that stimulates the appetite. Vietnamese chili peppers are sometimes used in place of peperoncino, but peperoncino’s flavor and aroma can be said to complement the food better. Used to add heat to Italian dishes, peperoncino is one of the foreign chili peppers that has hit the mark with Korean palates.

[FamTimes = Reporter Kim Seung-hyun]