Xiao mi la (小米辣, literally "millet pepper") is a cultivar of Capsicum frutescens found in southern China. The Xiao Mi La pepper is often cited as one of the three most commonly used peppers in Chinese cuisines, along with facing heaven chilli and two vitex chilli.[2] It is also known in China as "Thai Pepper", although that is a name used in other parts of the world for a different chili cultivar than Xiao mi la. Xiao mi la is the only wild pepper species in China, where it has naturalized in the southern Yunnan Province of China as a perennial shrub. Xiao mi la is adapted to this environment of high temperature and humidity, as well as resistance to East Asian disease pressures, low light, and barren soil.[3]

'Xiao Mi La Pepper'
GenusCapsicum
SpeciesCapsicum frutescens
Cultivar'Xiao Mi La'
Heat Very hot
Scoville scale75,000[1] SHU
Xiao mi la pepper
Chinese小米辣
Literal meaning"Little Rice Chili"
Transcriptions

Spice

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Xiao Mi La is one of the spiciest widely available peppers at Beijing wet markets and grocery stores.[1] Xiao mi la is used in spicy Sichuan dishes like Lazi Dry Pepper Chicken Wings, Mala Xiang Guo (stir-fried hotpot, cooked twice), and Shangxin Ban Kongxincai (tragically hot water spinach salad). Xiao mi la is also processed into flakes and powders.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Beyond the Hutong: Heating Up With The Chilis of China". The Beijinger. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Chilli varieties in China". The Chili Workshop. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  3. ^ Liu, Shaoqun (January 22, 2013). "De Novo Transcriptome Assembly in Chili Pepper (Capsicum frutescens) to Identify Genes Involved in the Biosynthesis of Capsaicinoids". PLOS ONE. 8 (q): e48156. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...848156L. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048156. PMC 3551913. PMID 23349661.
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