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Starter

The Burning Sensation 🔥

There are thousands of different types of it!

And every come in different sizes, shapes, colors, and strengths.

Some love it.

Some fear it. 😨 

And too much of it?

A nightmare you won’t forget!

In many cultures it isn’t even an option; it’s tradition.

Chili pepper is that one ingredient that makes a dish burn once (and sometimes even twice). 😅 

But how does it actually affect our body?

And is the burn even good for us?

Let’s find out! 👇

🥙

Main Course

The Spicy Story 🌶️

What are chili peppers?

Chili peppers are fruits that come from plants of the genus Capsicum.

Where do they come from?

They go way back - around 7000 - 9000 years BP.📜 

They were first cultivated in Central and South America and used by the natives (like Aztecs & Mayas) not just in food, but also for rituals, medicine, and warfare. ⚔️ 

Then Columbus brought them to Europe (by accident), where they started spreading around the entire planet. 🌏️ 

What are they used for?

Mainly for cooking. 🍳 

But chili is also used in:

• skincare products

• pain relief creams 🧴 

• digestion support

• fat-burning supplements 💊 

• pepper spray

If something burns, chances are chili is a part of it. 😉 

But why does it burn?

The burning sensation isn’t actually real heat.

Your pain receptors that actually detect heat bind to capsaicin, which then tricks you into thinking your mouth is burning. 🔥 

Capsaicin is the reason why you sweat, cry, hiccup, and question your life choices.

But capsaicin isn’t all bad.

So what exactly are the benefits?

Chili‘s main health-benefiting compound capsaicin, has been shown to

• boost metabolism 🔋 

• support weight loss

• reduce inflammation

• kill bad bacteria 🦠 

• improve digestion

• support heart health 💓 

• boost happiness (capsaicin releases endorphins)

• act as a natural pain reliever 💊 

👩‍🍳 Chef Tip: Start little by little.

Too much chili at once will make you end up at the toilet.

🍰

Dessert

How to Stop the Burn (Fast!) 🧯

Sometimes it’s just too late.

You took the bite, and now your whole mouth is burning.

But what can you do to stop it?

Here’s your spicy emergency checklist on how to stop the burn. 👇

🥛 Dairy as extinguisher

Milk, greek yogurt or ice cream

Casein (a milk protein) can help break down capsaicin

🥑 Fats to bond

Avocado, peanut butter or olive oil

Capsaicin is fat-soluble, not water-soluble

🍋 Acid to neutralize

Lemon, lime or vinegar

Acids neutralize the burning effect

🍚 Starches and sugar to calm down

Bread, rice, tortilla, potatoes or something sweet

They act as a neutralizer and calm the burn

🚫 What NOT to do

❌ Water (spreads it)

❌ Carbonated soda (even worse)

❌ Alcohol

My tip: Rub a little olive oil on your lips before eating spicy food

It creates a “heat shield” and prevents chili-burned lips

🥜

Snacks

Dad Joke of the Week

A Deep Question

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done, and would you do it again?

A Friendly Reminder

🎁

Takeaway  

You aren’t satisfied yet? 

Here are my Ingredients and Recommendations for you:

🎙️ Podcasts

• How Chilis Conquered the World (Gastropod)

• How Chili Peppers Work (Stuff You Should Know)

📚️ Books

• Chillies: A Global History (Anderson)

• The Complete Chile Pepper Book (DeWitt & Bosland)

📺️ Videos

• How Eating Spicy Food Affects Your Brain And Body (Insider Tech)

• Health Benefits of Hot Chili Peppers (Dr. Berg)

• The science of spiciness (TED Ed)

• How The World Became Spicy (In Only 20 Years) (OTR)

📑 Articles

• Chili Peppers 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Effects (Healthline)

• What are the health benefits of Capsicum? (MedicalNewsToday)

• The many benefits of spicy foods (Mayo Clinic)

• Health Benefits of Chili, Chili Peppers, and Chili Powder (Web MD)

Thank you for being here 💝 

Looking forward to serving you next week.

Much love from Flores 🏝️,

Benji