Measuring Spice
What is the typical unit used to measure the heat of peppers?
What is Scoville Heat Units (SHU)?
What is another name for a nerve cell?
What is a sensory neuron?
What is paper chromatography used for in the study of spices?
What is separating different pigments or compounds in spices?
What is capsaicin?
What is the compound responsible for the heat in peppers?
Name a dish that commonly uses chili peppers as a key ingredient.
What is chili con carne (multiple answers)?
How can spices be measured in cooking to ensure consistency in flavor?
What is using a standard measuring spoon or scale?
How can consuming spicy foods affect your taste buds?
What is desensitization of taste receptors?
What materials are typically used in paper chromatography?
What is filter paper and a solvent?
The part of the pepper plant contains the highest concentration of capsaicin.
What is the membrane around the seeds?
How can cooking methods affect the heat of chili peppers?
What is cooking can either enhance or reduce the perception of heat?
Why do some people have a higher tolerance for spicy foods than others?
What is genetic variation in taste receptors?
How does the distance traveled by a compound in chromatography relate to its solubility?
What is more soluble (greater attraction to the solvent) compounds travel further?
How does capsaicin benefit the pepper plant in nature?
What is it deters herbivores and attracts pollinators?
What is a common way to reduce spiciness in a dish?
What is adding dairy products like yogurt or sour cream?
What testing method can be used to objectively measure the heat of peppers?
High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Selective openings in the cell membrane that only bond to one molecule.
What is ion channels?
Why is chromatography important in identifying spices?
It objectively quantifies the amount of capsaicin in each pepper.
What is the relationship between capsaicin and the color of peppers?
What is capsaicin concentration varies with ripeness, affecting color?
Why are certain cuisines, like Thai or Indian, known for their spicy foods?
What is cultural preference and the availability of spices?
How does the concentration of capsaicin affect the Scoville rating of a pepper?
What is higher concentrations of capsaicin lead to higher Scoville ratings?
Capsaicin interacts with what specific receptor/ion channel in the cell membrane?
TRPV1
Describe the process of conducting a simple paper chromatography experiment.
What is placing a drop of spice extract on paper, adding a solvent, and observing the separation?
How do different species of peppers vary in capsaicin content?
What is different species have different genetic makeups affecting capsaicin production?
How does the use of spice in cooking vary across different cultures?
What is it reflects local agriculture, history, and flavor preferences?