• Question: Why are chilli peppers so hot?

    Asked by annaseal to Anil, Blanka, Cees, Emma, Mike on 24 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Blanka Sengerova

      Blanka Sengerova answered on 24 Jun 2012:

      They contain a compound called capsaicin (or related compounds) which is produced probably as a deterrent to herbivores (shame then that we as a human race have acquired a taste for these things, isn’t it?). The painful sensation linked to the consumption of capsaicin is due to its activation of neurons through a receptor (the vanilloid receoptor).

      Does this answer your question? Do you like your curries hot or do you prefer milder ones?

    • Photo: Emma Trantham

      Emma Trantham answered on 26 Jun 2012:

      I don’t know if you know but there is actually a scale which chilli heat is measured on. It’s called the Scoville scale and measures the amount of capsaicin (that compound Blank was talking about) in the chilli.

    • Photo: Michael Cook

      Michael Cook answered on 27 Jun 2012:

      Blanka and Emma covered this perfectly, so here’s my only bonus fact: capsaicin is used in pepper sprays, which the police sometimes use (and people use themselves in the US and other countries to protect themselves). Pepper spray is pretty dangerous stuff, partly because capsaicin is so powerful!

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