General French News | Basque chilli festival adds spice to French holidays this autumn

Tourists enjoying French holidays in the Basque country this autumn have the chance to enjoy a unique festival celebrating one of the region's most important culinary products.

The Fete du Piment d'Espelette takes place at the end of October every year, and celebrates a special variety of chili pepper that has become a local symbol over the years.

This year's festival takes place in the village of Espelette on the weekend of the 23 and 24 October, and is sure to be one of the most memorable yet.

The Espelette pepper was awarded a special quality mark 10 years ago, and the 2010 edition of the festival will commemorate this special anniversary.

The festival attracts thousands of visitors every year, and provides tourists with a unique flavour of some of the customs and traditions typical to the Basque region.

Originally found in parts of Latin America, the Espelette pepper is thought to have been imported to France in the 16th century by a Basque sailor accompanying Christopher Columbus.

Espelette peppers were originally used for medicinal purposes, but they quickly became a popular base for condiments and the pepper went on to establish itself as a quintessential part of Basque cuisine.

The pepper is only grown in ten communes in France and since the year 2000, all Espelette peppers made in those communes have carried special 'AOC' quality stamps to certify their authenticity.

Harvesting takes place in late summer, and the sight of strings of Espelette peppers hanging out to dry on walls and balconies has become something of a regional symbol.

Autor: J.Jeffries

Posted on: 22/09/2010