30th July 2024
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How to Increase Your Chilli Tolerance
Published by THE ORIGINAL BEEF CHIEF
Whether you love the thrill of spicy food or want to build up your tolerance for the hottest chilli jerky, increasing your chilli tolerance is a journey that many embark on.
At Beef Chief, we understand the love for heat and spice. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you increase your chilli tolerance and enjoy the fiery flavours to the fullest!
Understanding Chilli Tolerance
Chilli tolerance varies from person to person and is influenced by several factors, including genetics, diet, and exposure to spicy foods.
Capsaicin, the active component in chillies that gives them their heat, binds to receptors in your mouth and triggers the sensation of spiciness. Over time, repeated exposure can desensitize these receptors, making spicy foods more tolerable.
" Chilli is not just a spice, it's an experience"
-UNKNOWN.
Steps to Increase Your Chilli Tolerance:
1: START SMALL AND GRADUAL
Recommendation: Begin with milder chillies and gradually work your way up. Starting with mild chillies like Poblano or Anaheim allows your taste buds to get used to the heat without overwhelming them.
Tip: Incorporate mild spicy foods into your daily meals. Try adding a small amount of hot sauce or chopped mild peppers to your dishes.
2: CONSISTENT EXPOSURE
Recommendation: Consistency is key. Regularly include spicy foods in your diet to build tolerance. This doesn't mean you have to eat extremely spicy food every day, but consistent, moderate exposure helps.
Tip: Add a bit of spice to each meal. Even a sprinkle of chilli flakes on your pizza or in your pasta can make a difference over time.
3: PAIR WITH COOLING/FATTY FOODS
Recommendation: Combine spicy foods with cooling elements like dairy or starchy/fatty foods. Fatty foods can help mitigate the heat from chillies. Capsaicin is fat-soluble, meaning it binds to fat molecules, which can help reduce the burning sensation. Dairy products contain casein, which can help neutralize capsaicin.
Tip: Enjoy your spicy jerky with a side of yogurt or sour cream. This not only helps with the heat but also enhances the flavor.
4: HYDRATE SMARTLY
Recommendation: Water won’t help with chilli burn since capsaicin is oil-soluble. Instead, drink milk or eat something starchy like bread or rice to help mitigate the heat.
Tip: Keep a glass of milk or a bowl of rice handy when you’re trying spicier foods.
5: FOCUS ON FLAVOUR, NOT JUST HEAT
Recommendation: Appreciate the complex flavors in spicy foods, not just the heat. Many spicy dishes and snacks have rich, layered flavors that can be enjoyed even if they are hot.
Tip: When trying our spicy beef jerky, droewors and biltong, make sure to give it a good chew, let your salivia break it down and savour the flavour. Notice the spices and seasoning, not just the heat.
Chilli peppers are better for you than oranges
Everyone goes on about how oranges are a big boost in vitamin C and a great way to get over a cold… but perhaps we should all be throwing jalapeños into our juices instead. Chili peppers actually have almost double the amount of vitamin C in them compared to oranges – it’s around 107mg vs 69mg.
Building Your Tolerance with Beef Chief Products
At Beef Chief, we have a range of spicy jerky, biltong and droewors options to help you on your journey to increasing your chilli tolerance.
Start with Milder Options
Description: Nice smokiness from paprika. A lip tickle of cayenne chilli. The subtle sweetness from capsicum. Garlic lightly sprinkled all over.
Heat Level: 3/10
Description: Smokey, tangy, classic Chipotle blend.
Heat Level: 2/10
Progress to Medium Heat
Description: FRESH notes of lemon, onion, garlic, bay leaves and crushed red chilli's.
Heat Level: 3/10
Description: A smokey chilli flavour made with premium ingredients.
Heat Level: 4/10
Challenge yoursefl with hotter options
Description: Tart bite with our secret blend of chillis for a TASTY kick and delish flavour.
Heat Level: 5/10
Description: Tender mouthfuls of citrusy flavour with a punchy Carolina Reaper Chilli kick.
Heat Level: 7/10
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CHECK OUT OUR ENTIRE SPICY RANGE HERE!
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Building your chilli tolerance is a gradual process that requires consistent effort and exposure. By starting with milder options and progressively challenging your palate, you can increase your tolerance and enjoy the thrill of spicy foods. At Beef Chief, our range of jerky products offers the perfect opportunity to embark on this spicy journey.
Remember, the key is to enjoy the process and savor the flavors, not just the heat. Happy snacking!
Keep on Chewin',
The Beef Chief Team
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