How to Enjoy Spicy Foods.

How to Enjoy Spicy Foods.

Spicy food is enjoyed by many people. However, some people don't understand or enjoy spicy foods. This article is for those who want to know more about spicy foods or about how to enjoy them.

1
Understand what spiciness is and is not. To truly appreciate spiciness, you should know what goes on. A common misconception is that spiciness is actual heat. It is not. Rather, it is an irritation. What causes spiciness? A chemical known as capsaicin. This capsaicin causes a burning irritation.

2
Determine how much heat you can handle. Try a mild sauce or pepper, and work your way up. A good thing to start with is a poblano pepper, with a very mild Scoville rating of 500. Some stores have a brief "spicy meter" posted near their peppers.

3
Add spicy foods to your daily meal plans. If you eat spicy foods only once a week, you may be missing out. Splash some hot sauce on everything you can think of. Keep chopped or whole peppers lying around the house somewhere, or better yet, grow them yourself.

4
Push your limits. Part of the fun and lasting appeal is when you continually try spicier things. Keep track of its Scoville rating to track your progress. However, hurting yourself isn't recommended.

5
Ease your pain. Once you've had enough, help yourself! Contrary to popular belief, water doesn't do well in easing pain. Instead, reach for the milk. A chemical in milk, casein, disengages the capsaicin from your mouth to help it get washed away.

6
Expand your horizons. Try different things, like a new sauce, or a spicy dish you've never tried. Spicy food is a great way to expand your knowledge of different cultures.


7
If peppers, sauce, or spicy meals are just too spicy, or you just plain dislike the taste, see if you can buy spicy chips at a nearby grocery store or deli.