Food Introducing yourself to the hot stuff

I thought, from your OP, that you wanted to "proceed to a higher level of spiciness." To get there, you have to start eating foods that are too spicy, and work your way up. Somewhat like weightlifting.
You won't gain anything by dissing the people who are already there.
Those of us who have been eating hot or spicy (the two words do not mean the same thing) our whole lives don't feel them the same way you do.
And Tabasco is NOT particularly hot, as hot sauces go. Also, too vinegary for my taste.

Lindy

 

I'm half-Dutch. It's the same.

 

A couple of days ago, much to my surprise, right here in Lincoln, Nebraska, I found FRESH locally fire-roasted chiles from Hatch NM. They had both the mild Anaheim style and another that was a little smaller and kind of medium hot.
This was at a regular super market, not a Mexican store. Also fresh raw Hatch chiles, right in season.
This town, which will eventually be my new home, continues to surprise me.

Lindy

 

Nom, Hatch chiles are awesome. I saw some at a grocery store here for a while but didn't buy any at the time, and when I went back to get some, they were gone. Next time I'm buying a bunch and making green chile and freezing it.

 

I ran across this old thread while looking for something else. @Remixer how is your taste for hot and/or spicy coming along. Are you able to enjoy the hot stuff more now, six and a half years later?

 

Sorry for my overly harsh comment. (#21)

 

I like to make a distinction between "spicy" and "hot." At least to my taster, food can be strongly flavored with herbs and spices without being hot.

Spices like rosemary, clove, oregano, basil, bay leaves, allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, mint, anise, paprika, ginger, caraway turmeric, etc. can be overpowering without being really hot. I'm particularly sensitive to rosemary and sage.

"Hot" refers to chiles (mild to, literally, blistering from capsaicin) black pepper, horseradish, mustard seed, wasabi, and others, etc. where heat takes center stage.

So, foods can be spicy without much heat (some Italian and Indian dishes) or hot with little or no spices (like kimchi or green chile stew.)

 

Driving East on I-8 from Tucson we stopped for gas in Lordsburg, NM and there was a local restaurant called Kranberry's right next door. Had a big bowl of Green Chile Stew w/pork and a couple of flour tortillas. $7.00 with free chips and salsa.

And fresh salsa is so easy to make. Lots of recipes on line.