salt and capsicum

[tjg911]

does salt enhance the burn from capsicum? i was eating slices of habanero with tortilla chips and salsa. it was not so hot but when i ate just a chip my mouth started to burn a lot more. i wonder if the salt causes this?

 

[xXA_HillbillyXx]

I dont think so, When me and my wife went to mexico on our honeymoon then locals there swore that if you ate something too hot then to put some salt in your mouth to help ease it away...

 

[willard3]

In fact, salt is one of the few things that will reduce the burn.

 

[tjg911]

wow this is really a surprise because i was certain you'd have said yes salt aggravates the burn! it is so consistent that a taco chip that is pretty salty eaten all by itself say after one with salsa and some hot pepper and after the burn or what little there was goes away immediately appears and probably is 2-3 times stronger than when i was eating the pepper! it seems like the salt would have been the explanation. would the oil or the crn in the chip be the cause? very odd!

 

[Shaughn]

nope oil is very good at absorbing capsaicin too