Chiles have been an important part of such diverse ethnic cuisine as Mexican, Latin, Asian, Southwestern, Caribbean, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Turkish, Japanese, and African. Can you imagine a Szechwan, curry, or salsa without the zesty addition of chilies? Recently, health experts have been digging into the roots of the traditional Latin American diet, as this pattern of eating has been associated with lower rates of chronic disease and higher life expectancy. One of the primary characteristics of this diet is its emphasis on plant foods, such as chilies.
