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How do you taste a new hot pepper?

17 years ago

How would you tell someone who wants to try a new hot pepper [and who may not be very experienced with hot foods] to try it?

Obviously, he can't just go and take a bite. I wouldn't want someone to try it in a complete recipe and then find it too hot and have to throw the whole thing out.

Would you suggest he just put a measured amount [how much?] in 1/4 cup of olive oil, heat it, and then pour it over a small salad, adding vinegar and straining out the actual pepper?

Any ideas?

thanks,

dean

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Comments (9)

shelbyguy
17 years ago
start at the tip. the heat in a pepper is in the placenta (the membrane that holds the seeds to the pith)

so, you're fine until you hit seed/pith - start nibbling at the bottom.
John__ShowMe__USA
17 years ago
Dean,

Nibble starting at the bottom is what I do too. Or you might do like my good friend Marv...

Marv

jt
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ardnek710
17 years ago
We cut pepper into little pieces and try slowly. Start with the pieces at the end of the chili where it is not as hot. As you get more adventurous you can move up to the placenta and seeds
kendra
tigerb8
17 years ago
I cut a small slice off the side (most peppers contain
no heat at the tip) and nible at it to gage the heat.

ButchT
hendrik_vanderdekin
17 years ago
For all you non pepper junkies out there remember... We're professionals, we have years of practice eating hot stuff, out mouths are callused and the other end has been flame proofed and even now we get surprised like with the seven pot and Naga types and the Trinidads.

My advice is start slow, small bites and have some Yogurt, icecream, a can of whipped cream and a gallon of milk handy.

And for you matcho types that think you can take it and go ahead an wolf down a whole really hot pod or two I highly recomend a large container of Tux pads for later on.

Also recomended is some aproperate music for the occasion.

Johnny Cash's Ring Of Fire will carry the mood.
web_of_hair
17 years ago
Usually get a friend or two and make some slices. Make some Nacho chips. Put pepper slice on chip and all eat at once.

Gotta get my taste buds ready for the Naga this year......

I made Habanero oil last year, really hot stuff (I used aboot 200 Habanero peppers gutted! I gave a bottle to a friend and I told him aboot the Naga Peppers I'll have... and he wants me to make Naga Oil! Is he insane... but oh it sounds tempting...
ucovinero
17 years ago
Just eat it. Like full effect style.
legsbig
17 years ago
Put it in a food processor with some vinegar and salt.

Perfect.
koreyk
17 years ago
You want to have a couple of them. take the first one in one big bite. yummy. now that was so good so you want another right away to cool down the heat from the first one.

This is a forum for real hot pepper fans not whimps.

If he says the first one was too hot then have him eat one about every hour. eventually he will love them. The fun is sitting there with your mouth on fire enjoying the flavor or heat. Remember there is no such thing as too hot. Just enjoy the burn.

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