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

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