If you’re a spicy food lover, you’ve likely wondered why there are so many people who can’t handle the heat. And if you’re one of those people who can’t stand spicy food, you’ve probably found yourself wondering how people could possibly enjoy it. Regardless of which end of the spectrum you fall on, we may have some answers!
Why Are We So Divided About Spice?
As it turns out, your like or dislike of spicy food may be entirely in your head– the burn you feel when you eat spicy foods is really just your mind tricking itself. The chemicals that make foods “taste” hot, such as capsaicin, activate temperature receptors on your tongue called TRPV1 that just happen to mimic the sensation of burning your tongue– but you’re not!
But if spice is just a trick of the mind, how is it that so many cultures seem to have a natural immunity to it? Your body has a neurotransmitter called “substance P” that is responsible for sending pain signals to your brain. Capsaicin, along with its other spicy counterparts, actually deplete this neurotransmitter. This means that if you’ve grown up eating spicy foods, you’ve likely developed a tolerance for them due to the depletion of substance P. While people who build up a tolerance for spicy food still feel the burn, they may actually find the sensation pleasant rather than painful.
Can a Spice Hater Grow to Like Spicy Foods?
Of course– it’s as simple as building up the tolerance! Here’s how
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Start small– you can start building up your tolerance by adding a little spice to foods you already know and love! For example, a good starting point may be adding a little extra black pepper or some crushed red pepper flakes to a dish like soup or macaroni and cheese.
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Focus on the flavor– many people make the mistake of adding too much spice, especially when they’re first starting out with it. Many spices actually have some great flavor when used sparingly! Putting more focus on the flavor than the burn can help you learn to love the spice.
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Slowly increase the spice level– eventually, your taste buds with get accustomed to the spice level you started with. At this point, you can take it up a notch by adding things like mild spicy peppers (like poblanos) to your meals, and eventually work your way up to something like jalapenos!
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If you’re serving food to someone who may not like their food that spicy, keep the spicy part on the side! That way they’re free to experiment with it.
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Have a “coolant” on hand– dairy products are great for getting rid of the pain from spicy foods! Keep a glass of milk nearby in case things get a little too spicy. Cilantro and lime can work great for this, too!
If you think you’re ready to experiment with adding some spice to your food, head over to Julia Belle’s Seasonings! There, you’ll find seasoning blends and rubs that can provide the perfect level of spice, whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned spicy food lover!