Diamante, Academy of Chili Peppers

Un’original idea to deepen and spread the “culture of spiciness,” the use of chili pepper in gastronomy, cosmetics, as a medicine, and as a recurring element in popular tradition. The Academy currently has over 2000 members and boasts, in addition to dozens of delegations throughout Italy, a branch in Mexico City, one in Paris, and one in New York.

Mr. Monaco, apparently after 500 years since its import, are Italians rediscovering chili pepper?

Maybe yes, given the great success that the Academy is achieving. In Diamante, we organize, in September, the “Chili Pepper Festival,” a showcase of gastronomy, culture, and satire that is now in its sixth edition. Every year the event is enriched with events and personalities, everyone wants to participate, televisions and newspapers cover us, and the town sees an increase in tourists. All thanks to our spicy chili pepper.

What is really special about this product?

It is cheerful, fiery, explosive, beautiful to look at, intriguing, and above all, it is good for you. In the kitchen, it enhances recipes without overwhelming them; indeed, it improves and strengthens the flavors; in cosmetics, mixed with clays, it is an excellent beauty mask and is effective against cellulite. The alcoholic solution, instead, gives strength and vigor to the hair. A study published in the journal “Human nutrition” highlighted its beneficial effects on basal metabolism, and some researchers at the University of Tasmania demonstrated that the capsaicin contained in chili pepper increases calorie consumption by up to 15%. An excellent aid therefore for those following a slimming diet.

Many, however, claim that chili pepper is harmful…

Here is one of the reasons that pushed me to found the Academy. To dispel common misconceptions, you need to document yourself to be convincing later. Chili pepper is a true treasure trove of substances useful to the body. Shall I list them? Apart from capsaicin, capsanthin, and capsicine, chili pepper contains vitamins A, C, E, K2, PP, lecithin, malonic acid, potassium, copper, and iron. How can one think it is harmful? On the contrary, it has great vasodilatory and anti-cholesterol properties, and it is very useful for soothing pains caused by arthritis, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, and rheumatism. If used regularly, it prevents liver failure, cirrhosis, and prostatitis and is an excellent decongestant in cases of laryngitis and hoarseness. In 1857, the French Medical Academy officially recognized its validity even against all types of hemorrhoids. Finally, new anti-cancer theories attribute to antioxidants the ability to strengthen immune defenses against tumor degeneration. And chili pepper is one of the most powerful antioxidants found in nature.

Someone defined it as “the Viagra of the future.” But is it really true that chili pepper can trigger eros?

If used on the body, externally, it has a revulsive effect, meaning it dilates capillaries and warms up. It therefore acts as a vasodilator. Then it is rich in vitamin E, the vitamin “of fertility and sexual potency.” So… maybe yes, it can be an aphrodisiac food. Although it has nothing to do with refined and especially expensive foods, such as oysters, truffles, caviar, or champagne, traditionally known for their stimulating powers. I like to define chili pepper as “the drug of the poor.”

How much should one consume?

There are differing opinions. The phytotherapy scholar Jan Valnet recommends not exceeding the dose of one gram per day, while Ettore Liuni, a great connoisseur of chili pepper, claims that the optimal dose is one gram of powder every 10 kg of body weight. In my opinion, you should rely on common sense, checking with experience and your own taste the personal tolerance threshold.

There is a citron and chili pepper liqueur. Why this strange pairing?

It is an effective digestive because chili pepper is digestive. Palmiro Raffo, a restaurateur friend, lover of chili pepper and a member of the Academy, instead created the world’s first “sweet digestive,” the “devil’s tart,” based on chili pepper jam. In his restaurant, Sabbia d’Oro, you have to order it in time because it sells out quickly. The recipe? A secret he has never revealed, not even to me.

A tip to extinguish the spiciness in case of overdose?

Never water, maybe a little red wine. But a sure remedy is to eat a piece of bread crumb with a pinch of salt added. And to remove the spiciness from the hands, you have to rub them with a ripe tomato and then wash them with water and soap.