Chili is a thick, hearty stew often made with meat, beans, tomatoes, and spices that give it a warm, slightly spicy flavor. The full name is chili con carne, which means “chili with meat” in Spanish. A big pot of chili simmering on the stove fills a house with a rich, savory smell that makes everyone hungry.

The key ingredient that gives chili its name and distinctive taste is chili powder, a blend of ground dried peppers and other spices. Some people like their chili mild and gentle, while others load it up with hot peppers until it makes their eyes water. Different regions and families have fierce debates about the “right” way to make chili: some insist it must have beans, others say real chili never does. Some add chocolate or coffee for depth, and in Cincinnati, they even serve it over spaghetti.

The word chili also refers to the peppers themselves. A chili pepper is the spicy fruit of certain plants in the capsicum family, ranging from mild peppers to fiery habaneros. When you see “chili” on a menu, it usually means the stew, but “chili peppers” or “chilies” means the peppers themselves.