Learning how to enjoy the spicier things in life.

While most of American culture is relatively scared of spicy food, yoo don’t need to be. Each pepper has its own unique flavor and heat tones which will drastically effect how a pepper can be enjoyed.

Now lets look at the common Jalapeño. This is a great pepper but most of the time not the best pepper on its own. A common jalapeño carries grassy flavor notes and an aggressive front of mouth burn. Front of mouth burn pepper tend to not be the most enjoyable on their own so pairing them with the proper food is essential. Several other peppers fall under this front of mouth burn. Most notably would be the famous Ghost Pepper.

Take one step over from the common jalapeño to the Purple Jalapeño. In my opinion once you have had a purple jalapeno you will never go back. Purple jalapeno’s are drastically more fruity while carrying practically the same heat. Alongside the beautiful reds, the flavor change allows a purple jalapeno to stand on its own.

Mid tongue peppers and back tongue peppers vary little with the main difference being overall enjoyment. Mid tongue peppers are more enjoyable because no matter the amount of heat they exude, that heat tends to be even around the mouth so there is a less overwhelming feeling of panic. Some mid tongue peppers would be Thai Hot, Thai Dragon, and Purple Jalapenos.

Back of tongue peppers are great just like the mid tongue peppers but the flavors tend to be a bit more bold. Some of my favorites in this category would be the Carolina Reaper and Trinidad Scorpion. While many of the “super hot” peppers have wonderful smoky flavor notes these two are my favorites so far.

Now this is being a basic framework to how a pepper is going to effect you, its not going to be perfect. Understand what do you want out of the peppers that you use. If the purpose of the pepper is going to be eaten on its own then peppers that effect the mid to back of tongue will be more enjoyable. Panic and punch will come mainly from peppers front of mouth. So these pepper act better in Chili or Raman.

No matter where you start eating peppers you can enjoy them all the way up the scale.

p.s. the tip of any spicy pepper will be the least spicy, allowing you to find out your limit.