Where Are Chiles From?

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Q: Sir:

Where are chiles from?  Where does the influence come from?  Is it an Asian influence, Spanish, French?  American Indian or Central American Indian?  I remember from American History that Chinese ships were familiar with the West Coast. 

Thanks for your time,

Mel

A: Hello Mel:

Chiles originated in Bolivia, South America and were spread by birds all over South and Central America.  Native Americans developed the varieties through selective breeding.  After Columbus brought back seeds to Europe on his second voyage to the New World, Portuguese and Spanish traders spread chiles to Africa, India, and Asia.  Historians are not certain that Chinese ships ever visited the Americas–this is just a theory.

–Dave

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