Why is it so hard to wash the ‘heat’ off your hands after handling/cutting chillies?
In: 6
Capsaicin, the molecule chiefly responsible for that heat sensation, is non-polar. That means it doesn’t properly dissolve in water, much like oil (ever tried rinsing out a greasy pan?).
Soap will do a decent job of washing it off. It also dissolves very well in alcohol — the mostly pure stuff, not a 4% beer.
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