Spicy flavors provide a distinguished taste and a unique dining experience. Their flavorful kick stimulates adrenaline, warmth, and a full sensation.
Many talk about spice as a heat level in relation to the Scoville scale. However, spiciness comes in many forms, producing fiery flavors and varying fragrances. Here is what you need to know about the different types of spicinessand what they offer to your palate.
Capsaicin Heat
Capsaicin heat refers to the spice generated from a chili plant and is the component that creates the pepper’s Scoville rating. The more capsaicin, the hotter the chili. This spicy chemical compound produces an acidic, burning sensation that numbs one’s tongue and mouth. It usually appears in Asian dishes, giving the meal a quick surge of heat within seconds of a single bite and numbs the more you build it.
Aromatic Spice
An aromatic spice gives you a muted heat level with rich flavoring. It creates an earthy, warming, and cozy taste that complements sweetness. Many popular seasonings like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and clove produce this aromatic sensation. It’s what gives apple cider its spicy kick and is the quintessential taste for fall and holiday festivities. Along with ciders, aromatic flavorings also frequently appear in pies, pastries, and tea. An aromatic spice provides more comfort than other spicy sensations because the spice’s earthy tastes mask the heat, and the warmth is like a cozy hug.
Peppery Kick
Pepper derives from dried peppercorns. It creates a quick sharp kick that vanishes not long after erupting. A peppery spiciness sits in the middle of an aromatic heat and capsaicin. Its dried composition produces an earthy taste with aromatic spices, but it also has a charcoal-like taste that makes it more of a savory pairing rather than sweet. The peppercorn itself emits a punch of flavor that stings and stimulates the senses like a hot pepper at a milder level.
Minty Sting
Many people find certain kinds of toothpaste spicy. However, compared to the numbing heat of a hot pepper and the aromatic warmth of a spiced seasoning, toothpaste spiciness is a refreshing variation. Mint, ginger, wasabi, and peppermint create a stinging spice that cleanses. It produces a longer-lasting aftertaste and alters flavors more than complements them.
What you need to know about the different types of spiciness is that each kind of kick provides you with a different experience. They create very distinguished flavors that change the food or drink you make. They also influence the type of food you cook, savory or sweet, and change the ingredients you pair together to match or counter the heat. Knowing the various forms of spiciness helps you create dishes that stimulate a certain sensation, dining experience, and taste to relish.
