More about chilli seeds

Chilli plants and seeds have spread across every continent and have been bred into literally hundreds of varieties in every conceivable shape, colour and size.

The active ingredient in chillies, mostly concentrated around the seeds, is called Capsaicin and it has a rather peculiar effect on us, activating the heat receptors in the throat and mouth. The brain responds to the burning sensation by raising the heart rate and releasing endorphins, ready to counteract the pain so they really do bring about a real sense of both pain and pleasure. In actual fact Capsaicin does you no harm whatsoever.

People grow chillies from seeds for a variety of different reasons, reflected by the different World of Chillies Seed Collections. Most people have a fascination with the effects of Capsaicin and want to grow the serious hot varieties such as Bhut Jolokia, the Naga Morich and chillies from the Habanero family.

Some are interested by the ornamental qualities of these beautiful, sometimes weird and wonderful fruits and others are connoisseurs of different varieties, applying different chillies to a wide range of cuisines and dishes.

Others have more of an emphasis on growing chillies that cannot be bought commercially for specific culinary purposes

DAVINA McCALL FORCED TO EAT OWN FOOT

HEAVY snow across the south east of England last night forced Big Brotherpresenter Davina McCall to eat her own foot.

McCall had been road testing Garnier’s new, all-weather Revitalift chin nourishing gel when at least 200,000 skin-deadening snowflakes crashed into the side of her car on the A21 near Sevenoaks.

Quickly realising she was not on television and the nearest camera was more than two days away by snow shoe, McCall telephoned BBC FiveLive to let them know her chin looked and felt fabulous.

But she added: “The Garnier helicopter is unable to get through. My feet are very cold. If only I could get out and dance like the stars of my new Sky One show Got To Dance.”

After a few minutes McCall became delirious, drifting in and out of consciousness. Moments later she said: “My right foot has gone completely numb. I suppose I should take this opportunity to eat it without hurting myself.”

The BBC presenters tried desperately to dissuade her before they were bombarded with texts and emails from thousands of angry listeners telling them to mind their own business.

McCall then attempted to deliver a running commentary on her foot-meal but her speech became increasingly muffled as she devoured her toes before working her way steadily towards the ankle.

After six minutes of chewing she let out a colossal belch and began interviewing herself in a frenzied manner which BBC doctors stressed was completely normal for Davina McCall.

Meanwhile the Met Office has repeated its warning that it’s, you know, snowing a lot, so just stay indoors for a couple of days and watch telly.

A spokesman added: “Unless, of course, your chin is fully protected and you have at least three days worth of feet.”

Using A Chilli Plant To Grow Your Own Peppers

Many people love hot and spicy food. Besides tasting delicious, the chili is also very healthy for you. It contains lots of antioxidants, as well as other vitamins. Chilis also help to regulate insulin levels and help increase your metabolism. They can be added to all sorts of different foods so that you can gain the health benefits they offer, as well as have a tasty meal. Although you can get these in the stores, you can make them even more easy to use by growing your own chili plant.  

The chili plant is best grown in hot and tropical areas. When grown in these areas it is a perrennial plant, and it can be planted pretty much any time of the year. Chilis will mature quickly given the proper soil nutrients, sun and water. However, many of us do not live in these areas. It is still possible to grow these plants in colder areas.

In cold areas, the chili plant is usually an annual plant. The best way to grow them in areas where the growing season is short is to plant them in containers. That way you can keep them inside when it is cold. You just need to make sure to give them plenty of nutrients, and when you bring them inside you will want to put them in a sunny window to make sure they get enough sun. They should be watered a little each day, but make sure not to give them too much as this could cause problems with the plant. In colder areas like this it will take a whole season for the plants to mature, so you won’t get as many chili peppers as you would in warmer climates.

Regardless of where you plant you chili plants, the peppers are not ready until they come easily off the stem. You shouldn’t have to pull hard in order to pick them. If you pick them before they are ready then you will be less likely to get other peppers from the plant since it can be damaged easily. However, if you are patient you will be rewarded with delicious peppers that you have grown all on your own which will taste better than any you could get in the store.

BBC TO OFFER MORE CRONE-BASED PROGRAMMING

HAGS and crones will take centre stage in the BBC’s spring schedule as the corporation announces a big increase in witch-themed programming.

Themove follows threats of a multi-generational curse from the British Crone Council, which represents gimlet-eyed, toothless old women who live in caves and speak in vivid and frightening metaphors.
Deputy director Mary Fisher, who claims to be 386, said: ”Tis be a shame there bain’t no better programmin’ for ladies such as I.

“Our dark sisterhood tires of endless reality dance shows. Where be the series in which crow-like harridans cackle mercilessly as they tell which combination of herbs and eldritch phrases can make a virgin pregnant with a donkey-headed abomination?”

Following the complaint and the first born son of the BBC’s Head of Factual Programming being bitten by a talking stoat, the corporation has agreed to hand over BBC2’s Thursday night schedule to crone-based programming.

A BBC spokesman said: “Wizened Women is a bit like Loose Women but the three hosts share a single eye, which they pass around so they can view the future of the celebrity guest and tell them exactly when and how they are going to die.

“There’s also a cooking show which focuses mainly on children and a new sitcom called A Bit Familiar about a disgustingly foul-mouthed goat engaged in a series of hilarious mix-ups as he tries to organise his weekly, blood-soaked orgy of sodomy and murder.”

The spokesman added: “I am forbidden to speak further lest my tongue be split and my eyes dissolve in their sockets. You’d best be on your way now.

DO ’45 MINUTES’, FANS TELL BLAIR

FANS of Tony Blair are today looking forward to a selection of his greatest hits, including Saddam Hussein Was a Horrible Man and the classic show-stopper 45 Minutes.

Mr Blair will take to the stage in London for a one-off performance that fans hope will be a nostalgic celebration of his career-defining 2002 album The September Dossier.

Sources who have seen the playlist say he will open with the hard-driving, rock standard Iraq is So Much Better Off, before slowing things down with the quiet, soulful Halabja Massacre.

The former prime minister will then bring the crowd to their feet once more with the bouncy, bubblegum pop of We Don’t Have to Take our Clothes Off (To Have a Regime Change).

Helen Archer, a Blair fan from Stevenage, said: “IfSeptember Dossier is hisSergeant Pepper then 45 Minutes has got to be his Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds.

“It’s a work of pure imagination and the sort of thing you would think was written in a drug-induced haze, if you didn’t already know that it was an obvious and deliberate lie.”

A source close to Mr Blair said: “He’s taken his cue from Bruce Springsteen and gone for a six hour performance filled with crowd-pleasing favourites that everyone can sing along to, rather than ignoring the audience and doing lots of rubbish new stuff that no-one wants to hear, like Van Morrison.”

The source added: “If he gets an encore then you might see something like a jazz-folk version of People’s Princess or Education, Education, Education.

“And, while I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up, I hear he’s been rehearsing a grimey, funked-up remix of Tough on Crime Tough On the Causes of Crime with Tinchy Stryder and Missy Elliot.”