Hot sauce is a staple in many households across the globe. From simple Mexican styles to explosive Korean gochujang, hot sauce can add a kick of flavor to just about any dish. But have you ever wondered why eating hot sauce can make your mouth feel like it’s on fire?
How does hot sauce trigger your taste buds? What is happening when we eat spicy food?
The answer lies in the science of spiciness. Today we're going to talk about how hot sauce triggers your taste buds and the fascinating way it does it.
Hot Sauce, Spicy Foods, and Your Taste Buds
First off, what makes hot sauce spicy? The simple answer is capsaicin, a compound found in the seeds and membranes of chili peppers. When we eat food with capsaicin, it binds to the receptors on our taste buds that are responsible for detecting heat, known as TRPV1 receptors.
This creates a sensation of heat, which can range from mild to extremely intense, depending on the concentration of capsaicin.
Interestingly, while capsaicin creates a feeling of heat, it doesn't actually raise the temperature in your mouth. Instead, it tricks your brain into thinking that your mouth is hotter than it really is.
This is why drinking water after eating spicy food often doesn’t help; you’re not actually cooling down your mouth, just washing away the capsaicin.
In fact, drinking water will only spread this molecule around in your mouth even more... Which might cause even more of your pain receptors to go off! Here is what you should drink after eating hot sauce.
Why Can Some People Handle Spicy While Others Can't
But why do some people love spicy food, while others can’t handle the heat at all? One reason may be genetics. Research has shown that people vary in the number and sensitivity of their TRPV1 receptors. Some people have more receptors than others, which can make them more sensitive to spicy foods.
Additionally, studies have found that culture and exposure to spicy foods can also play a role in developing a tolerance to capsaicin.
What About Health Benefits?
So what about health benefits? Is eating hot sauce bad for you? While the sense of heat can be uncomfortable, there’s no evidence that eating spicy foods is harmful to your health.
In fact, some research has suggested that capsaicin may have a number of health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and pain. Of course, like with any food, moderation is key. Eating anything in overabundance is not good for you. If you’re a fan of hot sauce, enjoy it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Different Types of Hot Sauces And Heat Levels
Lastly, let’s talk about the variations in hot sauce and why different types of hot sauce can have varying levels of spiciness.
The heat of hot sauce is measured on the Scoville scale, which assigns a number based on the amount of capsaicin in the sauce.
For example, a jalapeño pepper typically has a Scoville rating of 2,500-8,000, while the Carolina Reaper, until recently considered the world's hottest pepper, has a Scoville rating of roughly 1.5 million.
There are other variables that can affect the heat of hot sauce as well. For example, factors like the type of pepper used, the time it was harvested, and even the soil it was grown in, can all play a role.
Additionally, the heat level can be adjusted by adding other ingredients, such as sugar or vinegar, which can help mask the spiciness or enhance it.
Recap on Hot Sauce & Your Taste Buds
Capsaicin in hot sauce is what creates that feeling of heat, however, it doesn't actually raise the temperature in your mouth. It's your pain receptors telling you to feel pain. The level of spicy pain that you feel will be determined by how much capsaicin is contained in the chili peppers used in the hot sauce, your own tolerance, and other ingredients used in the sauce.
The science of spiciness is a fascinating subject, and understanding how hot sauce triggers your taste buds can deepen your appreciation for this flavorful food.
Let us know in the comments what the hottest hot sauce or chili you've ever tried!