The pungent-red pepper was one of the first plants seen by Columbus on his urival in the New World—a new spice which is now grown in the tropics and subtropics around the world. Imagine the surprise and distress on Columbus' face when he bit into the fruit which was “…violently strong and growing on a shrub no bigger than a goosberry bush.” He had found a plant which had long been used by native peoples of the New World and which was cultivated from northern Mexico to southern South Amaria. The quantities of these pungent fruits consumed by the Indians was unbelievable to the Europeans. Many kind had specific uses and certain varieties were so esteemed that they were reserved for the exclusive use of the ruling classes.