Chili / Pili Pili (Piripili)
The generic Swahili-scape term pili pili covers everything from mild frying peppers to fierce little bird's-eye chilies that power the island's sauces.
HOW TO IDENTIFY IT
Look for small red or orange lantern-shaped peppers - the smaller and more pointed, the hotter. Ask for 'pili pili manga' for the seriously fierce variety. Smell, don't touch, then wash your hands anyway.
CULTURE & KITCHEN
Pili pili sauces accompany grilled seafood, urojo and everyday dishes; visitors learn quickly that 'a little hot' in Zanzibar is not 'a little hot' at home.