Q: Hi Dave,I will be moving to Thailand in a few months and would like to increase my tolerance for spicy foods before I go. So my question is this: Is the increase in the amount of capsaicin that I can tolerate caused by repeated and increased exposure of spicy foods on the tongue, or in the digestive tract? If …
Can C. Pubescens Self-Pollinate & Cross-Pollinate?
Q: Hi Dave,Maybe you can help me out on this one. A few weeks ago I read in different books that Capsicum pubescens is incapable of self-pollinating, and that it can’t cross-pollinate with other Capsicum species. This year I had one Rocoto Canario plant (C. pubescens) in my greenhouse together with several C. annuum varieties. I’m quite sure it’s a …
From Indoors to Out
Q: Hello Dave,Early in November, I bought some capsicum seeds. Initially, I only wanted to test germination, but after they germinated, I planted a few of them. Kept under a four tube fluorescent fixture, they grow very well. The temperature is above 80 degrees F. I’m planning to start all over again in January, but I also would like to …
Sichuan Facing Heaven
Q: Hey Dave, I am looking for Sichuan Facing Heaven dried chiles. Is it possible they go by another name? None of the Asian markets in my area seem to have anything that looks like the Facing Heaven variety. Thanks, Karen A: Hello Karen:That variety is not available in the U.S. Substitute piquins.–Dave
Why Chiles Make Us Sweat
Q: Dear Dave,I have a fairly flavorless question Dave: Why do we sweat (especially around the eyes) when we use a potent hot pepper sauce?Thank you, Cameron. A: Hello Cameron:The capsaicin in chiles is perceived by the body as a poison that must be removed, so the result of eating hot stuff is gustatory rhinitis (runny nose) and gustatory perspiration (sweating).–Dave