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WHAT IS THE SPICIEST PART OF THE CHILI PEPPER?
published on 28/09/2024If you think the seeds are the spicy part, you're wrong! What is the spiciest part of the chili pepper?
How many times have you heard that the seeds of the chili pepper are the spiciest part? Well, I'm sorry to burst your bubble! The real culprit behind the heat you feel in your mouth is hiding somewhere else.
The true source of a chili pepper’s spiciness comes from the capsaicin glands, which produce and contain capsaicin, the compound responsible for that burning sensation. These glands are mainly located in the placenta of the chili pepper, those light-colored filaments you can see inside, to which the seeds are attached.
That's why the idea that seeds are spicy exists: in reality, their proximity to the placenta only makes them carriers of capsaicin, but they don't contain the spicy substance themselves. Others believe that the upper part of the chili is spicier than the lower part, and there’s a partial truth to this, as the placenta is more concentrated in that area. As a result, removing the light filaments and the placenta can make even a notoriously hot chili much milder.
A tip to figure out how spicy your chili is? Look at the color of the placenta! If the filaments are white, relax, it won't be too spicy. But if they tend towards yellow or red... well, get ready to sweat!
