- Thai pepper
Taxobox
name = Labuyo Chili/ Chili Padi / Bird's Eye Chili / Thai pepper
image_width = 250px
image_caption = Bird's Eye Chili
regnum =Plant ae
divisio =Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
subclassis =Asteridae
ordo =Solanales
familia =Solanaceae
genus =Capsicum
species = Frutescens
subspecies =
trinomial =
trinomial_authority =Thai pepper (Thai: "prik ki nu") refers to any of three cultivars of
chili pepper , found commonly inThailand , and also in neighbouring countries, such asVietnam ,Malaysia ,Indonesia , thePhilippines andSingapore . It is also found inIndia , mainlyKerala , and is used in traditional dishes ofkerala cuisine (pronounced inMalayalam as "kanthari mulagu").Bird's Eye Chili Pepper (Chili padi/ Cabe Rawit)
Pepper
boxwidth=250px
heat=Very Hot (SR: 50,000-100,000)The hottest form is the Bird's Eye Chili Pepper, which is also known as "Chili padi". This refers to the small size of the chili that reminds people about the small size of paddy (rice), the staple food in the region. It is also known as "cili padi" (Malay), "cabe rawit" (Indonesian), "phrik khii nuu" (พริกขี้หนู, literally "mouse shit chili"), "Thai Hot", "Thai Dragon" (due to its resemblance toclaws ), "Siling Labuyo" (Filipino), "Ladâ", and "Boonie pepper" (the Anglicized name).These tiny little fiery chilis point downward from the plant and their colors change directly from green to red. This type of chili can be found in
Malaysia ,Brunei ,Indonesia , and thePhilippines but most commonly inThailand . Although small in size compared to other types of chili, the chili padi is relatively strong at 50,000 to 100,000 on theScoville pungency scale. Malaysia consumes about RM140 million worth of chilies each year. Fact|date=February 2007Malay and Indonesian proverb
This chili is commonly found in Malaysian and Indonesian markets sold alongside the larger chili. As the small chili turns out to be hotter than the larger counterpart, this often surprises people that don't expect such a small chili would pack a very hot taste. This is the source of the Malay proverb "Kecil-kecil cili padi" and Indonesian proverb "Kecil-kecil cabe rawit", which refers to something small in size or stature that contains something unexpected for its size.
Thai Ornamental
The more decorative but slightly less pungent variety, sometimes known as "Thai Ornamental", has peppers that point upward on the plant, and go from green to yellow, orange, and then red. It is the basis for the hybrid
Numex twilight , essentially the same but less pungent and starting with purple fruit, creating a rainbow effect, and among the group ofcapsicum annuum . These peppers can grow wild in places likeSaipan . Despite their size, these tiny peppers pack a potent punch. A window-box can provide a perfect environment for this particular plant; low maintenance, high yield, diabolically hot peppers that produce for months on a single, tiny plant that never gets taller than 18".The Chinese in SE Asia call this pepper 'the chili that points to the sky', perhaps indicative of its unlimited potency.Non-pungent "Thai Pepper"
"Thai pepper" can also refer to a different type of pepper found in Thailand that is non-pungent, larger, and grows hanging down.Fact|date=July 2007
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