Plant atlas Short
Spur Chili: The Long Red Pod Bred for Color
Spur Chili (Large Red) · พริกชี้ฟ้า · Capsicum annuum
Spur Chili (Large Red) — พริกชี้ฟ้า (prik-chi-fa) — Capsicum annuum.
This long red chili — พริกชี้ฟ้า. Prik-chee-fah — is grown for the deep red color it lends a curry paste, with only mild heat. The edible part is the fruit. In large studies, regular chili eaters had lower all-cause mortality. It's rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B6. Nam Jim Gai, Thai sweet chili sauce, is made by simmering minced red spur chilies and garlic with sweet vinegar, making the perfect dipping companion for crispy Thai fried chicken. Prik Gaeng Daeng, authentic Thai red curry paste, is made by grinding rehydrated dried spur chilies with fresh aromatics, serving as a rich base for curries enjoyed with steamed jasmine rice. The whole fruit is eaten fresh, dried, or as paste, and the younger green pods are milder than the ripe red ones. Eat it with a little oil, since dietary fat helps your body absorb the pigment it turns into vitamin A. Wear gloves and keep your hands away from your eyes, since the chili's oil clings to skin and stings the eyes badly.
Thai Sweet Chili Sauce — น้ำจิ้มไก่ (nam-jim-gai)
Thai Red Curry Paste — พริกแกงเผ็ด (prik-gaeng-ped)
Food and nutrients
Rich in: vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6
Research context
Regular chili eaters had lower all-cause mortality in large studies — meta-analysis, 2021 (observational)
Sources
Source: Chili-pepper intake & all-cause/CV mortality meta-analysis (2021), PMC8463741. Cohort: Chopan M, Littenberg B (2017). PLoS One. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0169876
Narration transcript
Opening
Its Thai name means 'chili pointing at the sky,' and cooks grow it for color more than fire. Spur chili — พริกชี้ฟ้า, prik-chee-fa. Pounded into curry paste, the long red pods paint the whole pot deep red with only mild heat. You eat the fruit, fresh, dried, or as paste.
Thai Sweet Chili Sauce (Nam Jim Gai) (น้ำจิ้มไก่)
Thai sweet chili sauce, nam jim gai is made by simmering minced red spur chilies and garlic with sweet vinegar, making the perfect dipping companion for crispy Thai fried chicken.
Thai Red Curry Paste (Prik Gaeng Ped) (พริกแกงเผ็ด)
Authentic Thai red curry paste, prik gaeng ped is made by grinding rehydrated dried spur chilies with fresh aromatics, serving as a rich base for curries enjoyed with steamed jasmine rice.
Nutrition summary
Ripe and red, these pods are remarkably high in vitamin C, with a good hit of vitamin B6 and some copper.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is used to build collagen and helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A contributes to normal vision and helps maintain healthy skin and surface tissues.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 contributes to normal energy metabolism, supports a healthy nervous system, and helps your body make red blood cells.
Closing
Green pods are milder; left to ripen red, the heat and color both deepen. A splash of oil helps you take in the orange pigment it's packed with. And wear gloves when you chop a batch, because the oil clings to your skin and stings badly if it reaches your eyes. Follow Longevity Biome, and LIKE this video for regular updates.
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