Pikliz Perfected — horseradish

  What Makes Food Spicy? If you enjoy spicy cuisine, you may have pondered what gives it its unique spiciness. This section will examine the chemistry of the spice as well as the various elements that give it its heat. The Science of Spice: Spicy food gets its heat from a chemical compound called capsaicin, which is found in chili peppers. Your body's natural response to pain is triggered when capsaicin attaches to pain receptors in your mouth, giving you a burning sensation. The Scoville scale is used to measure the heat of chili peppers and other spicy foods, with...