Spices

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Though, at one time, Americas most important contribution to the world of spices, chilli is today one of India's major export attractions. An annual plant, chilli comes in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colours and in different degrees of pungency. It is thus variously called capsicum, paprika, pimento, sweet pepper, red pepper, cayenne pepper and bird's eye chilli depending on the type of chilli and the manner in which it is prepared and used. An indispensible culinary spice in several parts of the world, Indian chilli is grown largely in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamilnadu and in a number of other states as a round-the-year crop. The medium pungent 'Sannam' and the mildly pungent 'Mundu' chillies are internationally recognised as the finest in quality. Products are available as powder and oleoresins. India also offers high capsaicin content chilli with or without stalks and with clipped stalks, and fresh and dried capsicum. Indian chilli is exported to USA, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Middle East and the Far East.