As a pepper variety I am one of the ‘Capsicum annuum’ species in the nightshade family. The word ‘capsicum’ may well come from the Greek word ‘kapto’, meaning ‘to eat hungrily’, no doubt referring to the strong taste of many fruits in my family.

It’s also possible that the name is derived from the Latin word ‘capsa’, meaning box, referring to the shape of my ripe fruit.

The Latin word ‘annuum’ means annual, which is rather odd, because under favourable conditions I am definitely perennial.

The Capsicum-family includes not only my very hot brothers and sisters such as cayenne pepper, Madame Jeanette, and the ‘jalapeño’; it includes the bell pepper, which as far as hotness is concerned is a bit of a family joke.