Matt Bray 
Horseradish and chili peppers stimulate the same set of sensory receptors (called polymodal nociceptors) in the mouth and nose, which is why we register both of them as hot with both spices, the ability to cause burning is likely the plant’s self-protection mechanism to avoid …
Old Bay seasoning and Cajun seasoning are two regionally iconic American spice blends. Old Bay comes from Maryland; Cajun seasoning is associated with parts of Louisiana. The two differ strongly in their intended effects on food, although both are flavorful and have several ingredients in …
Want to heighten the flavor of your Japanese fare? Try your hand at making this shichimi togarashi recipe the next time you’re up for an exotic twist. This delicious Japanese spice mixture is also known as seven-spice seasoning, as it near always contains seven ingredients. There’s …
Sambal oelek is not quite as popular in the West as sriracha, but in recent years it has begun to emerge from the shadow of the rooster sauce. These days, sambal oelek has a strong following among people who want a purer hot pepper experience. …
What is shichimi togarashi? Shichimi togarashi is a Japanese spice blend made up of seven different spices. The most common ingredients are red chili pepper, orange peel, black sesame, white sesame, ginger, hemp seed, and nori. It is often used as a condiment for sushi …
You may have come across “chili sauce” as an ingredient for your next great recipe find. But this term is just about as generic as can be in the world of spicy food. What is chili sauce, exactly? And what would be a good chili …
What are tabasco peppers? Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last century, you’ve heard of the famous Tabasco Hot Sauce. It is made in America and is arguably the most popular (and easily found) hot sauce on the planet. The tabasco pepper …
Spicy cherry jam has that perfect level of “sweet and tangy.” It’s sweet enough to work well with a simple piece of toast. And it’s tangy enough to hold its own with a strong cheese. Plus, it’s simple enough to make on the fly to …
Jalapeño peppers and pepperoncini are two of the more common chili peppers you’ll find at grocers, and they are each well-loved by spicy food fans around the world. But how similar are they really? Do they share similar heat profiles? Are they used in the same fashion? …
Habanero peppers get their name from the city of Havana in Cuba, which is La Habana in Spanish. Despite the name, habanero chilies originated on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, where they are still cultivated today. Habaneros are no longer at the top of the list of …