Capsaicin
Wasabi Could Be the Key to the Next Great Painkiller
Scientists are hoping that a detailed map of the pain receptor associated with wasabi and horseradish can help them design better analgesic medicine.
Our Growing Hot Sauce Obsession Could Lead to Hotter Jalapeños
With the hot sauce industry skyrocketing in the US, some farmers are eager to develop peppers that have bigger heat without sacrificing flavor.
Edinburgh's Killer Curry Didn't Murder Me
Edinburgh is home to Kismot, the keeper of one of the world's hottest curries. My friends and I decided to see if we could tackle what Kismot calls "The Killer," but it left me wondering: Why do people hurt themselves like this?
I Didn’t Get Heartburn at the Tabasco Factory
I'd always wanted to visit the Tabasco’s headquarters so I made the pilgrimage to Avery Island, where the hot stuff factory sits in the middle of a swamp.
The 'World's Hottest Curry' Made Me Hallucinate
I could try to work out the overall level on the Scoville scale, but the bottom line is that this was a plate of fucking hot chilies stuffed with even hotter chilies and slathered in chili sauce. You'd be hard-pressed to find something spicier outside...