The active chemical principle, the 'hot' chemical (it isn't hot in any way, but it reacts with calcium ions present on your tongue, in your cheeks and your esophagus to produce a sensation of 'heat') is called oleoresin capsicum. This is an interesting chemical for a number of reasons, but the reason that applies here is that it is a first cousin, speaking chemically, of the B-vitamin complex.
Now, what do ALL the B-vitamins have in common? Anyone, anyone, Bueller...?
They are all soluble in fat, as is the oleoresin capsicum found in habaneros, Jamaican golds, Peruvian camachacas, even bhut jolokis (the infamous 'ghost' pepper of India, the world's hottest).
Therefore, next time you make such a wager, don't rely on your machismo, win the bet handily, and don't inflict ANY suffering on yourself. Here's one way:
If you're allowed a beverage of choice (in the wager), choose buttermilk. Whole milk works, but buttermilk is the gold standard. Eat the habanero by biting it once or twice, then add a mouthful of buttermilk, swish it around well in your mouth, and swallow...ideally in one gulp. You should feel only a minor tang, not anything painful AT ALL. Of course, if you want to stack the deck against the chump you're betting, drink (SLOWLY) a full glass of buttermilk before beginning to eat the peppers, swishing around in your mouth, and allow it to trickle down your throat. Then, a sip of buttermilk with each pepper you eat. Voila. You will fear no pepper on earth by doing so.
Please note that water and beer (active principle, ethanol, of course) are NOT solvents of oleoresin capsicum except to a small degree. Washing down a hot pepper with a beer probably has the net effect of spreading the oleoresin capsicum all through your upper GI tract. Not a good idea.
Alternately, w/o a beverage, you can STILL beat the chump. Simply stick a pat of butter in one cheek (both, if you're going to eat more than one pepper. Make sure the butter gets well mixed into the pepper as you chew, and you're good to go: no pain, but monetary gain.
Best of the Season to you, and FReegards!
China rules ~ no dairy or dairy byproducts ~ straight up ~
China rules ~ no dairy or dairy byproducts ~ straight up ~
/johnny
Intersting info. Thanks.
However, I had no trouble swallowing the hot little suckers. I swallowed them whole. No pain, in the mouth.
All the problems occurred later in various portions of the GI tract. I probably should havw eaten a little something first, anf now I know it should contain fat. This will be useful.
Buttermilk with salt and pepper is pretty good.
What an interesting fact that it will cut the heat of the peppers!