By Niveditha Kalyanaraman
November 2nd, 2023
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Dishes may sometimes turn out too salty, too tart, too sweet or too spicy—especially if you are sensitive to spice. There are few things worse than sitting down for a meal only to realize the dish is above your preferred tolerance level. Here are 6 tips to fix a spicy dish.
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Capsaicin, the chemical responsible for the sensation of spice, binds to our tongues and causes a painful sensation that we interpret as spicy. Milk and dairy products contain a protein called casein that is able to bind with capsaicin before it reaches our tongue, so it can reach fewer receptors, and lessens the sensation of spice.
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High-fat foods like nuts can help dissolve the oils in capsaicin, making the spice feel less potent.
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Sugar is yet another kitchen staple that can help quell a dish that is a little too hot. Sprinkle in some granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey or maple syrup to get the desired effect and flavor.
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Dilute the dish by adding more of the non-spicy ingredients to a dish (like vegetables, grains, meat or broth) or even just by adding water to thin it out.
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Getting a bit of rice or potatoes in each bite can help make the spice levels more manageable. Even serving a slice of bread on the side can offer respite from the heat.
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Capsaicin is an alkaline molecule, so pairing it with something acidic like citrus juice or vinegar can help neutralize some of the heat.
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