An Outline of the History of Capsicums in England

Authors

  • Malcolm Thick Independent Scholar Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/ppc.28587

Keywords:

Capsicums, England, 16th-century, foodways, medicinal properties, horticulture, chill, 17th-century, 18th century, 19th-century, spices, cayenne pepper, food adulteration, condiments, exotica, 20th-century, Indian cuisines, British popular culture, food trends

Abstract

In four and a half centuries of cultivation in England, capsicums have been used as food, medicine and as decorative plants. Discovered in America by European adventurers, they have become a food well known in many parts of the world. This piece outlines their history in England, which dates from 1548, the earliest known mention in print of the cultivation of capsicums in England. However, it really took until the late 20th-century for their culinary potential to be realized by the average consumer. 

Author Biography

  • Malcolm Thick, Independent Scholar

    Malcolm Thick is an historian of gardening and agriculture. His life of Sir Hugh Plat, his study of the Neat House gardens, his introductions to William Ellis and William Lawson, will all be familiar to Prospect Books’ readers.

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Published

2012-08-01

Issue

PPC 96 (2012)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Thick, Malcolm. 2012. “An Outline of the History of Capsicums in England”. Petits Propos Culinaires, August, 33-52. https://doi.org/10.1558/ppc.28587.