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THE IMPORTANCE OF SPICY IN COOKING: PEPPER OR CHILI?
published on 03/08/2024Introducing a spicy note in our dishes can do much more than just stimulate our senses: it brings with it a range of additional benefits that we are often unaware of. Adding spicy spices to everyday recipes can improve not only the taste of our dishes but also our health in various ways.
Including a hint of spiciness in culinary preparations and seasonings can provide numerous advantages. Not only does it make food tastier, but it also aids digestion, stimulates blood circulation, and promotes diuresis. Thanks to a more efficient metabolism, it can also reduce cravings for sweets (particularly if using capsaicin from chili peppers), decrease the need for salt, and trigger a series of overall beneficial effects.
However, it is important to note that not all spicy substances offer the same benefits. It is crucial to distinguish between black pepper and chili pepper, two spicy ingredients with different properties. While black pepper, once predominant, should be used in moderation and as a nutritional supplement (e.g., in combination with turmeric for optimal release of its substances), chili pepper is often better tolerated and offers numerous benefits confirmed by modern research.
When used correctly, black pepper can enhance the flavor and nutritional value of dishes, especially if exploring the various available varieties, each with a unique aromatic profile. However, it can also be used in desserts, where its irritating effect is mitigated, making it a versatile spice even in pastry. Although it was once absolutely predominant, it is advisable today to use it in moderation to limit its irritating effect on organs such as the liver and kidneys.
Chili pepper, on the other hand, does not present particular side effects, indeed it offers decidedly more well-being elements proven and confirmed by modern research, and can be used with greater safety. It is important to dose it according to individual tastes and tolerance and to handle it carefully to avoid accidental irritation to eyes, lips, and nose, especially for more sensitive individuals like children.
In addition to pepper and chili pepper, other spices can add a pleasant spiciness to dishes. Ginger, horseradish (less popular today but historically important), exotic wasabi, paprika in all its variants, and curry are excellent examples of ingredients that can enrich our cuisine with their distinctive spiciness.
