TDG: Hot Lover

[Fat Guy]

Planck on peppers.

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[snowangel]

Thanks, Nina!

For many parents, the moments of pride are "my child read Moby Dick at age 5" or "my child was toilet trained at 9 months."

Having grown up in Thailand and appreicated the complexity and myriad of flavors that a hot pepper can contain, my moments of pride have been much different.

With Diana (now 12), I have now forgotten the moment, but it most certainly had to do with an appreciation of just how different the different flavors of peppers and "hot" condiments can be. She knows that a serrano and a birds eye and a jalapeno and a roasted pepper are all very different.

With Peter (7), the moment came just a few days ago. "Mom, it makes my tongue burn. But, it tastes smokey, too (chipotle). Can I have more?" A couple of days later, and a perfect pineapple cut up, just ready for an after school snack. "So, Mom, how about we try some of those crushed red peppers (dried) on top of them; suppose it would be good?" It was good. Best of all was this little boy discovering a whole new realm of complex flavors.

[mamster]

snowangel, that is the coolest thing ever.

[ErinB]

I loved this article. I admit, I don't know enough about chiles. I bought my first bag of chipotles a few days ago and just found thai bird chiles a year ago. If they're in a specific recipe, I use them, but other than that I don't really experiment. Great suggestions on other things to use them for.

[jhlurie]

Okay Nina, since I know "natural versus artificial" debates drive you, I've got to see what you think...

What's the deal with this? Are these people nuts?

Just eat a pepper, damnit!

[Xanthippe]

Okay Nina, since I know "natural versus artificial" debates drive you, I've got to see what you think...

What's the deal with this?  Are these people nuts?

Just eat a pepper, damnit! 

Can't answer for Nina, but I know what I think -- yes, those folks are nuts!!

[Anna N]

Want to open up a stall here in the suburbs of Toronto? I'd give my eye-teeth for an ancho just to try it. Only very recently have chipotles in adobo appeared on the shelves. Once in a very blue moon I mind find a few poblanos and even serranos but on the whole it's jalapenos and cubanelles and that's the lot. Anna N

[Suzanne F]

What's the deal with this?  Are these people nuts?

Why on earth would you want to take this in capsule form? The whole point is THIS STUFF TASTES GOOD!!!!

[AndrewM]

Want to open up a stall here in the suburbs of Toronto?  I'd give my eye-teeth for an ancho just to try it.  Only very recently have chipotles in adobo appeared on the shelves.  Once in a very blue moon I mind find a few poblanos and even serranos but on the whole it's jalapenos and cubanelles and that's the lot.  Anna N

Anna, if you're looking to get dried chiles you could investigate Chilly Chiles, a chile mail order place out of Ottawa. I've never ordered from them so can't actually vouch...

Of course, somewhere in downtown TO there are chiles to be found...

[Anna N]

Anna, if you're looking to get dried chiles you could investigate Chilly Chiles, a chile mail order place out of Ottawa. I've never ordered from them so can't actually vouch...

Of course, somewhere in downtown TO there are chiles to be found... 

Thank you. I have searched and searched for a Canadian mail order outlet without success and now this! I will be placing an order.

Yes, I know, but for personal reasons Toronto might as well be as far away as Mexico!

[Nina Planck]

Apart from missing the flavor, taking the cayenne capsules wouldn't give you that addictive rush and make you want to eat more. If cayenne is so good for you, isn't that the point?