Green chillies are the unripe, pungent fruits of plants belonging to the genus Capsicum, commonly classified under the nightshade family Solanaceae. Botanically considered berries, these slender, vibrant green pods are harvested before full maturity. They serve as a foundational spice across global culinary traditions—most notably in Indian, Mexican, Thai, and Middle Eastern cooking. Their signature hot and fiery taste is generated by capsaicin, a chemical compound concentrated primarily within the inner white pith and seeds of the fruit.
