Why does some spicy food hit you on the lips, while others hit you on the tongue or even the back of your throat?

Question

Why does some spicy food hit you on the lips, while others hit you on the tongue or even the back of your throat?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Capsacin hits wherever it touches, so a food with spicy sauce coating might hit your lips more, and a food with peppers well-blended-in might hit inside your mouth more.

Horseradish has a completely different substance that you feel more in your nose.