Chillies not native to India, here's how they arrived

Chillies originated in Central America and were cultivated in Mexico about 6,500 years ago.

Portuguese traders brought chilli seeds from Brazil to India in the 16th century, first landing in Goa.

Before chillies, Indians used black pepper and 'pippali' (long pepper) for spiciness.

Chillies became popular in India because they were cheaper than black pepper and grew easily in Indian soil.

India is now a top producer of varieties like Guntur, Byadgi, Kashmiri, and Bhut Jolokia, with major farming hubs in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.