SPICY explores humanity's complex relationship with capsaicin through neuroscience, evolution, and global culinary traditions. Claire Delish examines why pain converts to pleasure through endorphin release, traces chili pepper evolution from defensive mechanism to cultural obsession, and profiles iconic peppers from jalapeños to Carolina Reapers with Scoville scale explanations. The series analyzes regional spice cultures shaped by climate across Mexico, India, Thailand, and Sichuan China, explores global hot sauce traditions from Tabasco's century-plus legacy to chili crisp's viral moment, and provides practical guidance for building heat tolerance safely, cooking with super-hots without overwhelming dishes, and creating homemade fermented sauces and chili crisp with customizable heat levels and complex flavor profiles.
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