Some Like It HOT: the Chemistry of Chili Peppers in Southwestern Cooking

Here are some questions regarding capsaicin, the "hot" component of chilis, to get you going before our first workshop meeting. This is an internet scavenger hunt: poke around the web, and when you find an answer, return to this page and submit your response. If you find some cool capsaicin facts which don't pertain to these questions, post them in the Capsaicin Facts section. Yeah, we'll even have prizes! (See what all you get for your tuition dollar at Mudd?)

Rules:

1. Once you have answered a question, don't be the first to answer another question. However, you may provide an alternate answer to another question which has already been answered. Of course, you can check back later and provide an alternate answer to another question once someone else has provided the first answer!
2. Please use the same name every time you answer a question or submit a fact.
3. You may provide as many capsaicin facts as you wish.

Good luck, and I look forward to meeting you on August 29.

Hal Van Ryswyk
Hal_VanRyswyk@hmc.edu
[HMC ] | [Chemistry] | [Van Ryswyk]

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Capsaicin Scavenger Hunt

Roughly in order of easiest to hardest...

1. What is generally regarded as the hottest chili pepper?
   

   Matthew Bladek reported on 8/28/05.

2. What is the chemical structure of capsaicin?
   

   Matthew Bladek reported on 8/28/05.

3. Where is capsaicin localized within hot peppers?
   

   Matthew Bladek reported on 8/28/05.

4. What is a Scoville unit and how is it measured?
   

   Trevor McQueen reported on 8/28/05.

5. What is the best way to quench the "hot" taste after eating chilis?
   

   Trevor McQueen reported on 8/28/05.

6. Capsaicin is also used as a topical analgesic. What is the mechanism of this action?
   

   Martin Field reported on 8/28/05.

7. What is a commonly used brand name in the U.S. for a capsaicin-based topical treatment?
   

   Martin Field reported on 8/28/05.

8. Can you find a capsaicin candy recipe used to ease mouth pain for patients undergoing chemotherapy?
   

   Martin Field reported on 8/28/05.

9. What is the opinion of the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Foods regarding capsaicin safety?
   

   Trevor McQueen reported on 8/28/05.

10. Can you differentiate between the terms "chile", "chili", and "chilli"?
    

    Matthew Bladek reported on 8/28/05.

Unclaimed responses:

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Capsaicin Facts

A listing of Scoville ratings for a wide variety of chilis and products!

The lethal dose for capsaicin for a 150 pound person is estimated at 13 grams of the pure compound (although it could be less).