Why Does Hot Sauce Make Everything Taste Better?
Timoti’s Guide to a “Hot” Meal
Whether it’s adding a dab of tabasco to an oyster or a high-energy challenge to eat a smoldering plate of chicken wings, people seem to have a strong– and bizarre– fascination with spicy foods. And it’s not a new trend either; evidence shows that people were eating chilis as far back as 6,000 years ago! Spicy foods have been a popular choice for just about every place on – and even above earth!
Just one question remains, though… Why?
Why is it that such a painful sensation for some people (that being spicyness) can be so desirable for others? And what even causes this burning feeling in the first place?
Image courtesy of @thisisnando / Unsplash
The Science of the Spice
If you’re someone who gets their kicks off of scorching tongues, then you might be familiar with the term “Scoville Unit”. Like other units of measurement, this is used for marking the intensity of the spiciness that a particular food reaches; the higher, the hotter!
This often correlates with the presence of a chemical called “Capcacin”, which reacts with the tastebuds to produce an incredible stinging sensation on the tongue and other areas of the mouth. Generally, the more capsaicin, the higher the scoville unit! This naturally appears in chilis and other hot peppers, ironically enough, as a way to discourage animals from eating them.
So… why do we crave hot sauce?
Well, that’s a bit tougher to narrow down to just one answer. In Japan, the spicy wasabi plant was long used for its ability to increase the shelf life of delicate seafood. But even after modern refrigeration and food preservation, Japan hasn’t shown signs of dropping this spicy ingredient from its pallette.
In fact, since Europeans first explored Central and South America in the 1500s, the worldwide adoption of chili peppers has only increased. For some cultures, the kick of spice is just what a dish needs to make it stand out against other more bland or rich flavors. One reason that astronauts on the International Space Station have a fondness for the hot sauce is because their sense of taste is decreased from the ways their bodies adapt to the weightless environment.
And, odd as it may seem, there really does seem to be a social part of it, too. Humans, after all, love finding ways to chase the rushing feeling of adrenaline. For some, that means buying a motorcycle or jumping out of an airplane… and for others, it’s downing a bottle of hot sauce!
Image courtesy of @stickermule / Unsplash
How Timoti’s Spices it Up
We’ve previously given you some suggestions for tasty seafood and seasoning pairings, but now it’s our turn to crank up the heat!
Our fried oyster basket is just one dish that we love dabbing some hot sauce onto. Our bottle of choice has got to be The Original Bulliard’s, for its classically authentic Louisiana Cajun flavor. A bit of that Cayenne Pepper flavor really brings our oysters up to eleven!
Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t also mention one of our most beloved specials. Freshly-caught shrimp, fried and tossed in Buffalo sauce, and served with a side of hush puppies? If that won’t satisfy your spice cravings, we aren’t sure what will!
Stop By For Some Extra Spice in Your Day
Whether or not you’re in the mood for something spicy, we here at Timoti’s really know how to put a little bit of spice in your day with our tasty meals! If anything here piqued your interest, make sure to swing by sometime!