#chili
Chilies add spice to any dish, but German dishes are usually rather mild. Internationally, however, the chili is very popular. And for a good reason.
Whether in India, South America or the Arabian region: People like to work with sharpness here. Chilies are often used for this. Why not? They are almost symbolic of this spice.
Milde Jalapeno
Certain varieties are some of the spiciest things to eat on the planet. The jalapeño, which is popular in this country, is considered to be rather mild. On the Scoville scale, which is used to measure the spiciness of chilies, it reaches between 2,500 and 5,000 units.
The hottest chili in the world
Pure cayenne pepper made from ground chilies has a value of 30,000 Scoville and is therefore quite hot. The hottest chili variety “Carolina Reaper” reaches over two million Scoville and is therefore no longer easily edible. Consuming them can lead to severe stomach problems and even circulatory collapse.
Spicy food can be healthy
Did you know that “spicy” isn’t actually a flavor at all? The ingredient capsaicin irritates the pain receptors in the mouth and stomach. They also warn against eating food that is too hot – chili will burn your mouth.
In addition, spicy food does not spoil so quickly because capsaicin also has an antibacterial effect. In addition, consuming chilies can have other positive health effects: Capsaicin is said to boost metabolism and strengthen the cardiovascular system. In addition, the feel-good hormone endorphin is released to combat the pain, which can put you in a good mood.
Perfect for the barbecue evening
Typical dishes such as chili con carne, curries, Asian street food or Mexican salsa are also becoming increasingly popular in Germany.
Chili gives many dishes an additional flavor dimension and goes well with many summer grilled dishes.
Pay attention when cooking
If you don’t want it to be quite as spicy, you should remove the white skins and the seeds inside the chili before cooking. The smaller you cut the pieces, the more spiciness is released into the food. And please always remember to wear gloves when cutting, as capsaicin sticks to your hands for a long time.
Shape and color say nothing about sharpness
If the dish has become too spicy, you can temper it with fatty ingredients, such as cream or coconut milk, or with something sweet. Fat also relieves the burning sensation in the mouth. However, it doesn’t help to drink water because that would only spread the capsaicin further.
Neither the size nor the shape or color of a chili says anything about its spiciness.
