‘Mom, where do chiles come from?’ ‘From Oaxaca, mija!’

ancientchiles

Chile peppers were first domesticated in the area now known as Oaxaca, in eastern Mexico, about 8000 years ago, according to scientists.

Popular Archeology explains:

Central-east Mexico gave birth to the domesticated chili pepper — now the world’s most widely grown spice crop — reports an international team of researchers, led by a plant scientist at the University of California, Davis.

Results from the four-pronged investigation — based on linguistic and ecological evidence as well as the more traditional archaeological and genetic data — suggest a regional, rather than a geographically specific, birthplace for the domesticated chili pepper.

Mas…‘Mom, where do chiles come from?’ ‘From Oaxaca, mija!’