Chili peppers (Capsicum annuum) are the fruits of Capsicum pepper plants, notable for their hot flavor. They are members of the nightshade family, related to bell peppers and tomatoes. Many varieties of chili peppers exist, such as cayenne and jalapeño. Imported from India. When you’re chowing down on spicy ethnic foods like Indian curries and Mexican tacos, you may not realize that you’re ingesting a key ingredient. This magic ingredient I speak of is chili powder! With a high concentration of capsaicin, this flavorful spice does more than pack a punch.