Posted on 08/29/2021 8:55:48 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
One theory says the sensation distracts from other pains; another says we’re just showing off.
Humans like to eat a lot of strange things—decomposed shark, Namibian warthog rectum, British food—yet among the strangest is our taste for chili peppers: a fruit that, ecologically speaking, specifically evolved to repel us.
But whereas other berries have thorns to protect against seed-destroying predators, chilies have a defense mechanism in the form of the chemical compound capsaicin, the principal function of which is to cause pain for predators. The scientific term for this is “directed deterrence.”
a habanero pepper or order your food “Thai hot,” and your body essentially thinks it’s being attacked by a chemical weapon.
Some farmers in Africa, to keep elephants away from their crops, plant chilies along the borders of their fields, or mix chili powder with motor oil and smear it on fences, or burn bricks of chilies and dried elephant dung.
...Chili-flavored birdseed is also a thing, used to prevent squirrels from pilfering bird food
. Indeed, research shows a correlation, particularly among teenage males, between a preference for spicy foods and testosterone levels, as well as personality traits associated with the pursuit of money, sex and social status.
Such hypermasculine display and self-inflicted harm are hallmarks of adolescent coming-of-age rituals going way back. In Aztec times, young men were held over fires to mark their transition from youth to adulthood, symbolizing their transformation from “raw” youth to “cooked” adulthood.
But for the military too, spicy foods have become a staple of combat rations, especially for long deployments. Beginning in Iraq in 1990, the U.S. military started issuing miniature glass bottles of Tabasco sauce with meals
Then again, maybe the explanation is simpler. Perhaps we just can’t resist the temptation of forbidden fruit—or, in this case, forbidden berries.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
—”Bland boring food was the biggest drive behind ancient global exploration.”
They did call them the spice islands!
If the sci-fi fantasy of backwards time travel were ever to send a traveler back to before 1500AD, they'd be smart to skip heavy gold in favor of the average household's spice cabinet. We of the modern age have NO IDEA of how bland food back then was. Yes, they had salt, but it was dirty and EXPENSIVE! Rulers taxed salt, paid in salt (salary) and even then food was boring!
BUT sometimes the accouterments highlight a different side. This is the salt cellar (holder) [1543] of French Monarch Francis I [1494-1547], created by Renaissance artist Benvenuto Cellini [1500-71]! Show me a pepper grinder that is its equal
Special of the day:
Namibian warthog rectum stew. $45.95
Ostrich rectum appetizers only $24.95 today only
—” you get used to the hot over time.”
I worked with an Indian guy, he said that each time he went home, he complained that his mother’s cooking had become too hot!
He also developed a liking for cheeseburgers!
Another told him to be very careful about going home with cheeseburgers on his breath, could be BIG TROUBLE.
Bfl
Overland too, even long before Marco Polo. :)
Spices have been worth their weight in gold at certain times throughout history.
Yep... Good post. :)
I just mean spicy flavorings in nearly all sausages and of course horseradish , and some of those pickled herring and seasoned dishes. None of which I would eat.
Here is a primer: Wide World of Jewish Spices https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/food/articles/the-wide-world-of-jewish-spices
My favorite spicy item is Chinese Garlic Chicken.
Also like Mexican Style Street Bean dishes of various types.
—”Yeah, the Queen is not a good cook.”
A nice shot, and a good thing she does not do dentistry on the side!!!
That said I have come to really appreciate HRM, a very positive influence on the English people.
That’s why you have ice cream for desert. In the morning when it’s burning you a new hole you can yell “come on ice cream”
Izat rectum like eating calamari?
I like a lot of very hot peppers, but my stomach may have it’s own opinion on what ‘food’ means. Crushed pepper flakes and a few splots of
Sriracha Chili Sauce are what I usually stick to.
—” the time I ate a habanero pepper thinking it was one of those!”
We have some Italian relatives, by marriage, my mother was visiting them and had some peppers and eggs... GOOD EATING!
My mom attempting to make her own but purchased the WRONG peppers.
My brother said they were too hot to eat, my father thought they were a tad spicy and ate them all.
—”salsa and guacamole”
I enjoy spicy salsa, cannot even consider spicy guac??
But I would try it.
Oh yuss...juicy rubbery goodness served with lemon curry. Numnumnum!
My most-Commie neighbor loves “hot”.
Is there a lesson there?
“Beginning in Iraq in 1990, the U.S. military started issuing miniature glass bottles of Tabasco sauce with meals”
Because the brass finally wised up to the fact we were all carrying a full size bottle in our LBE on the chance we got the Godforsaken tuna and noodles MRE.
Grown particular?
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