Experts say that one of the most
prevailing questions about spicy
food is: "if it is so pungent, why it is so addictive?" That
is Capsaicin which is responsible for the painful effect of chili
– a frequent seasoning of popular spicy food.
Chile-lovers should know that its hottest part is the seeds and the
flesh – or the placenta – around them. Chilli's
flesh contains the highest concentration of Capsaicin, which is
measured in Scoville units, names after scientist Wilbur L. Scoville,
who invented the special scale in 1912. When a person is eating spicy
food dressed with chili, his/her brain gets pain signals and starts
secreting endorphins to lull the suffering. This hormone produces the
sense of euphoria, so, looking at the red tear-stained faces of spicy
food eaters, don't be sorry for them – they are just getting
buzz
However without a habit some too
excessive spicy food-lovers can get
hiccups, runny nose, sweating or such unpleasant symptoms as hard to
breath or collapsed throat. Just imagine all these manifestations in
public, in a fashionable spicy food
restaurant for instance, where you ordered some fiery dish to
make a deep impression on your partner... No, the picture is too cruel.
Although you should know several pain-killing rules. Having eaten extra spicy food,
don't try to cool the burning tongue by drinking water or beer, because
they stimulate the taste butts and redouble the effect of Capsaicin.
The best way to put out the fire is to eat yogurt, sour cream, ice
cream, milk or cheese. If dairy products are out of reach, they can be
replaced with sugar, banana, avocado or cucumber. Dry bread is also
used.
Many people have troubles not
only while eating hot
spicy food flavored with chile, but also while
spelling this word itself. For example in Australia people
write "chilli", in the UK one "l" is omitted - "chili", and American
people call it "chile" or "pepper". Such a mishmash arises from
Christopher Columbus who confused chilli with black pepper. Actually
the spelling depends on the
country and there isn't any
general rule. After all, as you must have noticed, this article
includes all the possible variants.
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