That uncomfortable tingling is caused by capsaicin, most concentrated in the seeds and pith, which is the same oil-like substance that gives peppers their delightfully spicy flavor. But why does ...

After preparing chillies, it's very important to avoid touching the eyes or any sensitive skin – even washing your hands may not be enough to remove all the capsaicin, the volatile oil in the ...

Scoville ratings are determined by the Scoville organoleptic test. The capsaicin oil (the spicy part) of a pepper is extracted and then incrementally diluted with sugar-water until a panel of five ...