PEQUIN CHILES, DE-STEMMED (C11)

Often referred to as "bird peppers," or "flea peppers" by the Aztecs, these miniature peppers are a favorite of birds and southwestern people due to their fiery, fruity flavor and tiny size. While their tiny nature can make them difficult to harvest, the abundance of these peppers in bushes in the southwest makes them a regional delicacy that is gaining in popularity in other areas. Part of the Capsicum annuum family, these kinds of peppers have been part of the human diet in the Americas since at least 7500 BC. While they are now staples in many cuisines, they were not introduced to Europe and Asia until the late 1400s when they were brought to Spain and quickly traded for their culinary variety and as a cheaper alternative to pricey peppercorns.