If you haven’t, read up on what endorphins do. Among other things, they suppress pain by making you feel good.
I like to describe spicy food as a way to experience a pain that is 100% not actually hurting you. All that capsaicin is doing is tricking your nerves.
I like the flavors that a lot of the lower-tier hot peppers produce. Jalapenos and Habaneros go into a lot of the food I make for myself, but that’s more of a flavor decision where the heat is a neat side effect. As you go up the heat scale, though, the flavors themselves start to get overpowered (at least for me).
There is, though, a sweet spot where the heat becomes too much for you, and your brain jumps in to help. That’s where the endorphins kick in and the experience changes from “This is too spicy for me…” to “This is best damn chicken sandwich I’ve ever had!” while mopping your brow.
So like, a smidge of masochism of sorts?
More than a smudge. “Hot” isn’t a flavor. What you’re experiencing is pain.
Yes?
If you haven’t, read up on what endorphins do. Among other things, they suppress pain by making you feel good.
I like to describe spicy food as a way to experience a pain that is 100% not actually hurting you. All that capsaicin is doing is tricking your nerves.
I like the flavors that a lot of the lower-tier hot peppers produce. Jalapenos and Habaneros go into a lot of the food I make for myself, but that’s more of a flavor decision where the heat is a neat side effect. As you go up the heat scale, though, the flavors themselves start to get overpowered (at least for me).
There is, though, a sweet spot where the heat becomes too much for you, and your brain jumps in to help. That’s where the endorphins kick in and the experience changes from “This is too spicy for me…” to “This is best damn chicken sandwich I’ve ever had!” while mopping your brow.