Rice, Chilies & Culture
In many countries in Asia, rice is part of the staple diet. Wherever rice is found in abundance, you will find, with few exceptions, that Chillies are used in significant quantities in spicy rice recipes. The Chinese, Indians and Indonesians (amongst others) are all considered the world's biggest rice-eating nations. Without fail, you will find that the cuisine in these countries, rice is, in the main, spicy - with chillies an essential ingredient. The relationship between rice and chillies extends beyond Asia, with Latin American countries like Mexico and Peru developing their own distinctive spicy rice traditions, often incorporating local chili varieties like habaneros and ají amarillo. In the Caribbean, where rice was introduced through colonial trade routes, dishes like Jamaican rice and peas are frequently enhanced with scotch bonnet peppers, creating a unique fusion of African, Asian, and European culinary influences.
This section will explore how chillies are used in rice recipes in many parts of the world.
