many people of China are full-fledged hot pepper fanatics, with both production and consumption sitting at number one in the world. According to research, in recent years China’s predilection for spicy foods has been on the rise, with an increasing number people just not being able to get enough. But, only 400 years ago, the Chinese had no idea about this powerful seasoning, with records not appearing in the cookbooks of Sichuan, home of the hot pepper, until about three centuries ago.