chilli

Everyday

1. A chilli is a small pepper, often red or green, that tastes very hot and spicy. tree →
2. Chilli, or chilli con carne, is a spicy dish made with minced meat, beans, tomatoes and chillies. tree →
3. Chilli powder or flakes are dried, ground chillies used as a spice. tree →

In the lessons

In cooking and food lessons, chillies come from the Americas and spread around the world, now used in Indian, Mexican, Thai, Chinese and Korean food. Their heat comes from a chemical called capsaicin, measured on the Scoville scale. Safety: wash hands after cutting chillies and never rub your eyes; milk soothes a burning mouth better than water. Phrases: «chilli con carne», «sweet chilli sauce», «chilli powder», «hot as chilli».

Examples

• The curry had too much chilli for me. tree →
• Dad made chilli con carne with rice. tree →
• Wash your hands after chopping chillies! tree →
• A glass of milk helps when chilli burns your mouth. tree →
• Green chillies are picked before they turn red. tree →
• Grandma grows chillies in her greenhouse. tree →
• We dipped our spring rolls in sweet chilli sauce. tree →

Note

Plural «chillies». Spelling: UK/Australia «chilli», USA «chili» (and «chile» for the pepper in some places). Homophone trap: «chilly» means cold; «Chile» is a country in South America; «chilli» is the hot pepper. Funny but true: hot chilli makes you feel warm though it is not hot in temperature.