Why do some spicy foods (like Jalapeño Peppers) cause a burning sensation on your tongue, and other spicy foods (like Wasabi) cause a burning sensation in your nose?

Question

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In: Biology

Answer 1

Jalapeños and other peppers get their spice from a chemical called capsaicin. This chemical triggers the same nerves that sense heat, tricking your body into feeling heat.

Wasabi and horseradish get it from allyl isothiocyonate (and others but it’s mainly that). It is fairly inert in solid or liquid form, but is very volatile, meaning it evaporates very easily. As a gas, it is a moderate irritant, and travels to your nose through the back of your throat.