We make great, great use of Chili pepper and the demand of Italian consumers is constantly growing. A trend that has been going on for years now and that hasn't subsided. In short, chilli peppers are liked not only as a gastronomic spice to give flavor to food but above all for their own nutraceutical benefits, for the many essential vitamins it brings to the body - including one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C - for cosmetic use, not least for its decorative uses.
Chili pepper, the cardiovascular benefits in a study published by the Veronesi Foundation
According to a study published by the Veronesi Foundation frequent consumption of hot peppers reduces the risk of death from cardiovascular causes. By monitoring the health status of almost 23 adults enrolled in the Moli-Sani study for over eight years, the authors were able to demonstrate that, in people who consumed chili peppers four or more times a week, the risk of dying was lower. "Especially significant due to a heart attack and a cerebral stroke".
In addition, several studies published in recent times have attested that the chilli would have an antibacterial and vasodilatory action. But not only. In fact, it would also help to keep cholesterol and blood pressure values under control. And, based on the conclusions of a study published in 2017 in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, it would be an element that should never be deprived of during a slimming diet (thanks to its potential positive effect on metabolism).
We import over 2000 tons from non-EU and Asian countries where health standards are not respected
But the production of chilli unfortunately made in Italy is unable to cover the national demand. Only 30% is produced in our country of chillies consumed during the year, the other 70% comes from abroad, especially from non-EU markets. To be clear, let's talk about 2000 tons per year coming from China Egypt Turkey at very low price 1/5 less than the one produced in Italy costs but also a very low level of quality and healthiness. It's not just a quality problem - an example for everyone In China they don't go so far as to be subtle, the seedling is shredded entirely including the petioles, leaves and roots - but above all what is most worrying is a problem of phytosanitary healthiness for wide use what is done in these countries of herbicides harmful to health, chemical fertilizers prohibited by us, and the use of preservatives which are absolutely prohibited by us.
In Rieti the 2022 Chili Pepper Fair
This is why it is eagerly awaited World Fair of Chili Peppers which takes place every year a Rieti and to be held from 24 28 to August. An appointment that over time has taken on particular importance for the promotion and safeguarding of what has now become a real quality Made in Italy that can offer interesting development opportunities.
A 500 m150 Hub dedicated to the excellence of Italian agri-food, 500 stands, over XNUMX varieties of chilli peppers from all over the world, training cooking shows dedicated to promoting the local area and national products and spaces for discussion and analysis among stakeholders of the sector, are some of the protagonists of the Eleventh edition of the Fair
The novelties were presented in the Sala Cavour of the Mipaaf in the presence of the undersecretary Francesco Battistoni, the mayor of Rieti, Daniele Sinibaldi, the president of the Province of Rieti, Mariano Calisse and the president of the 'Rieti Cuore Piccante' association, organizer Livio Rositani of the World Chili Pepper Trade Fair.
" Chili pepper fair 2022 aims to combine the knowledge and study of the product with its sustainability and its being a food which, in its own right, is part of the made in Italy and the Mediterranean diet - declared Livio Rositani, president of the 'Rieti Spicy Heart'.
Peperoncino: a healthy made in Italy that can offer interesting prospects for territorial development
“The goal – he continued – is to promote and enhance the supply chains, producers, farmers and the typical features of this vegetable which can boast of the widest organoleptic qualities ever. The purpose of this Eleventh edition – concluded Rositani – is to grow the sector and the local and territorial production realities from which our agri-food and our excellent supply chains start and develop”.
"With this event, Mipaaf wants to reaffirm, once again, the centrality of our farmers and our agri-food industry who represent an excellence to be proud of" - declared the undersecretary of Mipaaf, Francesco Battistoni. “The chilli pepper and the production chains – he continued – describe a history, a tradition and a culture of the earth, which find their maximum expression in Italy. Thanks to work, studies and scientific research – he continued – the seed sector has been experiencing constant growth both in domestic consumption and in exports for years. This – concluded Battistoni – allows us to tell Italy of excellence and its territorial and regional typicalities that make it unique and that makes us appreciated in the world for the quality of our products”.
Among the many topics to be addressed is that of proposing the creation of denominations of territorial origin, which would give consumers a guarantee of quality, traceability, wholesomeness and an added value appropriate to the productive part, encouraged to increase its extensive cultivation, present today especially in Calabria, Lazio, Basilicata, Campania and Abruzzo. According to a study by Crea, this would meet "the ever-growing demand of the food industry and the needs of exports, if we think, for example, that 50% of Calabrian production goes to the Netherlands".
But above all Crea underlines: “The Italian production system, in addition to quality certifications, would also need a modernization of processing techniques to reduce production costs, starting from the varietal improvement of the cultivars, to obtain fruit concentrated on the upper and outer part of the plant, which can be more easily detached in harvesting operations with facilitating machines".
