There are chillies you know are going to be spicy and chillies you know are not, but then there are the chillies that could be mild, hot, or "please remove my tongue from my mouth and place it in a glass of ice milk". Luckily, there is an easy way to predict the spicy outcome, and it was right under our noses all along.
Last month, The BMJ published a case report about a 34-year-old man admitted to an emergency room in Cooperstown, NY with thunderclap headaches, a particularly painful kind that can be a sign of cerebral haemorrhaging. His symptoms included dry heaving and intense head and neck pain. The man traced his anguish to a chilli eating contest a few days prior where he consumed a single Carolina Reaper, the Guinness World Record holder for the world's hottest chilli.
Spicy food is the best food, but between the painful capsaicinoids, the bloating from drinking too much water, and the inevitable sweating, spicy food can also be uncomfortable to eat. Here are some tips to enjoy the spice without the bloating, sweat and tears.
Alcohol is not the best thing to reach for if your food is too spicy for you. But if you love the burn of spicy food and want to intensify the flavour of your meal, a glass of wine can compliment it well.
Video: Just like adding acid can temper a dish that's too spicy, you can also soothe your mouth after eating super spicy food by eating something acidic. Out for Thai? There's probably a lemon or lime on the table already.
