Lisa Schroeder
Spicy food. What are some reasons that some cultures are known for a spicy diet?
Apr 5, 2017 4:43 AM
Comments · 8
1
Read through~ I've heard that in some countries, especially for visiting foreigners, regular tap water can make a person sick. One of my teachers I had told me an experience he had. He and his friend once went to visit a country, which I forgot, but I know it was somewhere in between and around Europe and Africa, People there wash vegetables with tap water(just like anyone else) and put spicy seasoning on it to create flavour. However using spicy seasoning seemed like an important "key" to prevent illness. His friend who didn't like spicy food ate the salad without the spicy seasoning and been hospitalized (severe condition) while my teacher who didn't mind spicy seasoning ate his salad with it and he was totally fine. Although there may be many other reasons, I believe sickness prevention is one or at least it became one in the past.
April 5, 2017
1

I think it actually does have to do with climate. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the only edible plant that will make your eyes water and which will also happily grow in a cold climate is horseradish. Oh, and okay, there's mustard as well. But neither is on a par with pepper, let alone Szechuan pepper or chili.

And apparently, on the whole, people are incredibly conservative as far as their diet is concerned - just think how many centuries had to pass until potatoes were widely accepted as edible in Europe. And that was mainly because farmers were constantly being prodded by their various governments!

April 5, 2017
1
I cannot speak for all cultures, but I know that in Southern-Central-Western China (the Hunan and Sichuan regions), spicy diets have been attributed to the weather. Since I'm not a foodie, I don't understand the specifics of how the region's subtropical conditions mean spiciness is the way to eat...maybe a user from that area can provide some better information.
April 5, 2017
What is the hottest pepper you have tried?
July 2, 2017
Can anyone explain the science about how spicy foods interact with the body to help us in hot and cold climates?
April 15, 2017
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