Thai Bird S Eye Chili
The tiny bird s eye chili originated in cambodia vietnam thailand the philippines and surrounding countries but they can now be found all over the world.
Thai bird s eye chili. Bird s eye chile peppers sometimes called thai chiles are frequently used to add spice in southeast asian cuisine. The small chiles grow on small bushes in hot weather climates. Bird s eye chili bird eye chili bird s chili or thai chili is a chili pepper a variety from the species capsicum annuum commonly found in ethiopia and across southeast asia it is used extensively in many asian cuisines it may be mistaken for a similar looking chili derived from the species capsicum frutescens the cultivar siling labuyo. Such an unfortunate name for a poor little chili but it makes sense really.
Probably the most well known name is the bird s eye chili with variant names like thai dragon peppers african devil congo chilies phrik khi nu in thailand and cili padi in malaysia and many other localized names based off of regions. Bird chilies are so tiny that the name is clearly a reference to its size. On the scoville scale birds eye chilis are at 100 000 scoville heat units. What are bird s eye chiles.
Prik means chili and kee noo means ready for this mouse droppings i know. A note on bird chilies. Thai chiles are also sometimes known as bird s eye or simply bird chile pepper which is a nickname given as a result of their unique appeal to birds. So how hot are these little suckers.
Throughout thailand red thai chile peppers have been widely adopted into traditional cuisine since their introduction in the 15th and 16th centuries. Raw dried or cooked the small but potent peppers pack real heat and are used to add spice to dishes or to make fiery sauces. Chili fish sauce is a popular thai condiment served at nearly every meal and you ll find it heartily spooned onto soups meats rice and salads. If you are not accustomed to eating hot and spicy food do not try this.
Perhaps the most fitting name of the bunch is thai dragon peppers. Just keep in mind the bird s eye pepper has a medium high heat and will add a significant spice. They are presumably called bird s eye chili because of their small round shape and because they have been spread by birds which are not affected by the heat of the peppers. Don t be surprised to see the bird s eye chili otherwise known as thai chili or comically referred to in thai as prik kee noo mouse dropping chili eaten fresh off from the stem.
Prik nam pla translation. Any dish will welcome a bird s eye chili. Thai birdseye chili peppers can shoot the bird with up to 225 000 shu. Capsicum frutescens fruits are generally smaller.