Archive for June 13th, 2009

red hot chili peppers

There is nothing quite like that rush you get when you mistake the wasabi for pistachio ice cream. But alas, this doesn’t lead to nose running. That is because wasabi does not contain capsaicin, the extremely irritating chemical found in jalapeño or habanero peppers. Capsaicin is believed to stimulate central nervous system fibers that control the quantity and thickness of mucus and other fluids secreted in the nasal passages and stomach.

For you trivia nerds, heat in peppers is measured on something called the Scoville Scale, the higher the value, the hotter it gets:

• 0–100 Scoville units includes most bell/sweet pepper varieties.
• 100–500 Scoville units includes pepperoncinis.
• 500–1000 Scoville units includes New Mexico peppers.
• 1,000–1,500 Scoville units includes Espanola peppers.
• 1,000–2,000 Scoville units includes ancho and pasilla peppers.
• 1,000–2,500 Scoville units includes Cascabel and cherry peppers.
• 2,500–5,000 Scoville units includes jalapeño and Mirasol peppers.
• 5,000–15,000 Scoville units includes serrano peppers.
• 15,000–30,000 Scoville units includes the Chile de Arbol peppers.
• 30,000–50,000 Scoville units includes cayenne and Tabasco peppers.
• 50,000–100,000 Scoville units includes chiltepin peppers.
• 100,000–350,000 Scoville units includes Scotch Bonnet & Thai peppers.
• 200,000 to 300,000 Scoville units includes habanero peppers.
• Around 16,000,000 Scoville units is pure capsaicin.

The single hottest known pepper is the Red Savina habanero. If you think the jalapeño makes your nose run, the Red Savina will leave you wading knee-deep in a puddle of your own nasal secretions.

DON’T GET BURNED!
When working with chili peppers, wear protective gloves if preparing more than one or two of them. Work in a well-ventilated area—the fumes are tear-jerkers. Do not put your hands in your eyes, or any bodily orifice for that matter. If you get too much on your hands, wash them in one part household chlorine bleach to five parts water. Do this at the start—don’t wait until you are burning beyond relief. Repeat if necessary; it really works!