Although the two peppers are not related, they share a common history. Black pepper made its way to Europe first through the spice trade and became a popular seasoning for its ability to bring foods to life with its creeping heat. Due to its limited supply, black pepper became such a sought-after commodity that it was worth more than gold by some accounts. When explorers started bringing chili peppers back from the Americas for their decorative qualities, it didn't take long for people to figure out that the colorful fruits also had the ability to spice up food. What started off as a culinary knock-off of black pepper has taken on a life of its own in kitchens worldwide.