Matt Bray 
What are Black Pearl peppers? When you hear Black Pearl, it’s easy for your imagination to run wild: from the infamous treasure-seeking ship in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies to rare jewels that widen the eyes of all that see them. And so it goes …
Indian spices are always aromatic and savory, and we love them so – especially when they have a healthy dose of dried red chilies in the mix. This homemade chaat masala recipe delivers there, plus you can optionally add paprika for a little more warmth …
Wrangle up your family and friends and enjoy some fiery grub. This spicy cowboy bean recipe – featuring a lot of pork – is chock full of flavor. And the heat? There are multiple sources here: fresh jalapeño pepper, cayenne pepper powder, and chili powder …
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 …
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