What makes hot sauce hot?
April 11th, 2008
Capsaicin is the active chemical compound that makes chili peppers “hot”. This is why they call it hot sauce!. It is the plants natural adaptation for deterring plant eating animals. Capsaicin will irritate any part of the human body that it comes into contact with. Different chili peppers contain varying amounts of capsaicin. Capsaicin is mostly found inside the core of the pepper pod as well as on the external skin. It is therefore essential that latex or rubber gloves are worn not only when cooking with very hot peppers but also when harvesting and handling them. The chemical compound can produce a waxy appearance on the outside of the pepper pod. If you find yourself in a situation in which you are experiencing the physiological effects of capsaicin overload, it is best to either consume dairy products such as milk or hard alcohol. The compounds found in milk block capsaicin receptor sites in the mouth while alcohol is effective in dissipating the capsaicin compound so that it can be swallowed. Drinking water will often spread the irritation, so try to avoid it. Capsaicin that gets on your skin will not degenerate significantly from washing with soap and water. I often use rubbing alcohol when I find that my hands are burning because of an accidental transfer of capsaicin. I would not recommend this for everyone, since some people with sensitive skin may have a negative reaction to rubbing alcohol.
Entry Filed under: Artsy Stuff, Eating, Health Infos