Call us now on: 0800 731 5905 - Viva Lewes

IN SEASON NOW: peppers and Chillies
b i t s a n d b o b s
Originating from the tropical Americas, up to 30 species of capsicum have been identified although only five
are in common cultivation, with capsicum annuum being the most commonly cultivated. It is the source of all
sweet peppers, chilli and cayenne pepper varieties.
Unlike their solanaceae co<strong>us</strong>ins, potatoes and tomatoes, which took centuries to be accepted in Europe, the
capsicum was welcomed more readily, aided by the fact that when ground down it made a passable alternative
to the hugely expensive black pepper.
It is likely the first seeds were brought back with Columb<strong>us</strong> and eventually spread their way around the world
largely due to Spanish and Portuguese colonisation.
Their heat is determined by the level of capsaicin, a powerful, odourless alkaloid found in the inner membranes
of the fruits.
The term “Chilli” is derived from the Aztec language ‘Nahuatl’. In the USA the heat of chillies is determined
by a system of measurements devised in 1912 called Scoville Heat Units. This scale refers to the number of
times dissolved chilli extracts can be diluted with sugar water before the capsaicin can no longer be tasted.
Vanessa Langley - Lewes Farmers’ Market Co-ordinator for Common Ca<strong>us</strong>e Co-operative. Next two markets
are Saturday 4th Sept and 2nd Oct.
LEWES FLOOD
SOuTHEASE CHILLIFEST
The wonderful Southease chillifest is back, for its fifth
edition. Two villagers, nurserymen Adrian Orchard
and Ian Barugh have been growing, as they do every
year, scores of different varieties from the mildest
(Navaho, almost devoid of Capsaicin) to the hottest
(Bhut Jalokia, eye-wateringly hot at over two million
Scovilles). On sale will be chilli jams and relishes,
chilli oil, chilli powder, and, of course, chillies in their
raw form, already picked, or as plants. There’s a bar,
of course, and m<strong>us</strong>ic and food, including chilli con
carne pitched at three different strengths. Unmissable.
On October 12th 2000, the O<strong>us</strong>e flooded its banks in
Lewes, with devastating effect on the town. Nobody who
was there at the time will ever forget the mayhem that
ensued. Everybody’s got a mindfull of memories, everybody’s
got a story to tell.
Even Private Eye got in on the act, showing Platform 2 of
Lewes Station, looking like a Venetian canal. The group
artemis arts, based in the Foundry in North Street, are
setting up a ten-day ‘community response’ to the disaster
between October 8th and 12th, coordinating events and
exhibitions to share information, memories, photographs, films, stories and artwork to celebrate the resilience
of the community. If you are interested in getting involved in any way, call organisers Christine Hall (470376) or
Wenda Bradley (486595).
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