History
When did Christopher Columbus bring chili peppers to Europe?
1492
What chemical compound causes the burning sensation in spicy food?
Capsaicin
Humans are the only animals that like what sauce
Tabasco sauce
Why doesn’t water reduce the burning from chili peppers?
Capsaicin is hydrophobic
Chili peppers originated in which South American mountain range region?
The Andes
What receptors does capsaicin activate?
TRPV1 receptors
Which animals can eat hot peppers but don’t feel the heat?
Birds
What protein in milk helps wash away capsaicin?
Casein
How many years ago were chili peppers first domesticated?
About 6,000 years ago
Who created the widely used heat scale?
Wilbur Scoville
Why can birds spread chili seeds effectively?
They don’t chew or digest the seeds
Why can sugary drinks reduce the sensation of heat?
Sweetness confuses the brain’s taste signals
Who spread chili peppers to Asia in the 16th century?
Portuguese traders
SHU is an ______________ for ______________
Acronym for Scoville Heat Units
Capsaicin protects chili plants from
Parasitic fungi
Why might beer increase the burning sensation?
Ethanol enhances the burn
What is the genus name of chili peppers?
Capsicum
The world's hottest Pepper
The Carolina Reaper
Humans’ love for spiciness is called
Benign masochism
What is the best beverage to reduce chili burn?
Milk