Q: Dave,Is it possible to damage the heat sensors on the tongue? I’ve been eating chiles for years, but they just aren’t what they used to be.Thanks, Jim A: Hello Jim:Indeed, extremely hot chiles or hot sauce can damage your taste buds. However, the body replaces them every two weeks anyway, so any damage is temporary. For more information on this …
How to Reproduce Pepper Plants from Cuttings
Q: Hi Dave!I was wondering if I am able to take cuttings from my plants and make clones to produce more peppers? I have a few special plants that I would love to keep going, because I would like to sell some chiles locally. Can you help me?Thank you so much in advance, Cesar A: Hello Cesar:To reproduce pepper plants from …
Gustatory Perspiration (Cold Sweat, Courtesy of Capsaicin)
Q: Hey Dave,I usually spice up my canned chicken chili lunch with a drop or two of some super hot sauce. Today I put in a bit more than I wanted, but ate the chili, mouth burning, anyway. Near the end of the meal I broke out in a cold sweat. It felt like my body was going into shock. …
Fermenting Peppers
Q: Dear Dave,What is the process for fermenting peppers? I have heard that it is suppose to make them hotter?Thanks! –Cecil A: Hello Cecil:Chiles are fermented during the process of making mash, a preservation technique. The pods are ground in a hammer mill and placed in vats with 10 to 15 percent salt by weight. They ferment and can be kept …
Cayennes: Ripening, Recipes for Fresh Cayennes
Q: Hi Dave,I’ve just started out with chile gardening, with cayennes. Can you tell me if the cayennes will turn red after picked, if harvested when still green? Also, I’m having a hard time finding recipes for using fresh cayenne, as most call for ground or dried. Can you direct me to the best source?Thanks, Holly A: Hello Holly:Generally speaking, chiles …