The Pepper Eater Project

The Pepper Eater

What is “The Pepper Eater”?

Through user-centered need finding combined with iterative prototyping and on-the-ground user testing, we have designed a small-scale pepper grinder that crushes dried, whole red peppers into small pepper flakes and easily separates seeds. The current design consists of a pair of rollers made of interlocking disks. One of the rollers is driven by a hand crank and draws the dried peppers between the two rollers using small teeth on the larger disks. We are currently working with Compatible Technology International to improve the design and launch manufacturing with local manufacturers in Ethiopia.

Why Peppers?

Dried red pepper is the most widely consumed spice in the world, eaten daily by one quarter of the world’s population. Worldwide production is estimated at 2.8 billion kg per year. An estimated 400,000 women in Ethiopia process peppers by hand, a laborious procedure that turns fresh peppers into higher-value products: dried flakes, seeds, and powder. The tiring work leaves their hands covered in hot pepper oil and their eyes, noses, and throats burning from pepper dust in the air.

Who is the Pepper Eater for?

While visiting local markets throughout Ethiopia, our team had the opportunity to meet many women who process peppers for income. These women are entrepreneurs, looking for ways to help provide income for their families. Their stories have inspired us to develop a tool that aims to improve their lives by enabling them generate more income and decreasing the negative health effects of processing peppers. If we can these women process peppers more efficiently, with less discomfort and negative health effects, we can help increase how much money she can earn to support her family. Check out the implications of giving women more opportunities at The Girl Effect.