Why do some spicy foods hit hard and fade quickly (wasabi), while others start subtle but build up (flaming hot Cheetos), and others hit hard, stay a long time, and ruin my sleep (lamb vindaloo)?
In: Chemistry
It’s all dependent on the rate at which the chemicals that cause the spiciness break down.
Capsaicin is oil-based, so it takes a while to break down, and the more capsaicin you eat the longer it takes your body to deal with.
Allyl isothiocynate (which causes the pungency in wasabi, horseradish, and mustard) is *not* an oil, and tends to break apart much faster, hence why you end up with a quick hit of flavor that doesn’t last very long, and which can actually be washed away relatively easily.
I think the speed of the spicy flavors fading has to do with the amount of oils the foods have and how they stay on the tongue even if you swallow your own saliva or drink water to wash it away. For the vindaloo if you drink milk, or have a yogurt or ice cream afterward the spice should wash off, as the fat in the milk washes away the oil left on the tongue.
Its worth pointing out that Wasabi (and horseradish) contains a different spicy chemical than chilies.
That’s why you feel wasabi up in your nose, that chemical evaporates much more easily and you end up breathing it out, whereas the chemical that’s in chilies is an oily liquid that doesn’t really evaporate.
These two chemicals also act on different receptors in our mouths, creating different sensations.
Because they contain different molecules with the same effect
Jalapenos have capsaicin which is Lipophilic
Wasaby have isoticinates which on the contrary are not soluble in fats
I’m not a doctor or nutritionist, but I think it has to do with the fact that foods are absorbed and digested at different rates according to their chemical composition. Basically, if it takes longer to breakdown in your body, you might get a slower onset and it may last longer if your body digests that food more slowly.
How is your sleep ruined exactly? Ive never heard someone express this about spicy food.
P.S- Vindaloo is really really good for anyone who is unaware.
Latest Answers