Build your Spice Tolerance with Hannah

Build your Spice Tolerance with Hannah, Fulfilment Manager @ SDCF 

 Common Myths of Chillies & Spice that I thought were true…

 “All chillies are spicy”

“You either have a spice tolerance or you don’t”

 Heat is measured by the Scoville Scale. The Scoville Scale lists chilli peppers categorized by their spiciness and the amount of capsaicin in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Capsaicin is the chemical that makes chilli peppers burn.

Lets embark on this journey together: experimenting with chillies, building our spice tolerance, and hopefully seeing some health benefits.

Today we are going to attempt a chilli at 0-5000 SHU, at the lower end of the Scoville scale.

 Some Chillis at 0-5000 SHU are:

Trinidad Pimento Chillies (Seasoning Peppers) 0 SHUs

Anaheim (Hatch) Chillies 0 SHUs

Poblano Chillies 1,000 to 2,000 SHUs

Kashmiri Chillies 1,000 to 2,000 SHUs

Numex 6-4 Chillies 1,000 to 2,000 SHUs

Hungarian Hot Wax Chillies 2,000 SHUs

Guajillo Chillies 3000-5000 SHUs

Santa Fe Grande Chillies 5,000 SHUs

Here's the recipe I am going to add my chosen chilli into... 

Spiced Carrot & Lentil Soup

For this recipe I have used Trinidad Pimento Chillies - but you can use any of the chillies in the list above! 

 You will need:

• Oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Turmeric
• Coriander (fresh or dried)
• Garlic (cloves or powder)
• x1 Veg Stock Cube
• x1 Medium Onion
• x 8 Medium Carrots
• x5 Trinidad Pimento Chillies
• Red Lentils

 Steps:

• To the pan: Add oil, x1 chopped medium onion, x5 chopped Trinidad Pimento Chillies, garlic, salt & pepper. Fry on a medium heat.
• Add 750ml boiling water, x1 veg stock cube, & x4 chopped carrots. Cover and cook on a medium heat until carrots are soft.
• Blend the contents of the pan.
• Add 250ml boiling water, x4 chopped carrots. Cover and cook on a medium heat until the second round of carrots are soft.
• Add red lentils (more if you like your soup thick like me).
• Add coriander if you like it.
• Taste and add salt, pepper if required.
• Simmer until water has reduced.
• Blend again but leave some carrots whole.
• Add a thin layer of turmeric to the top of soup and then stir in – to add colour.

 Chilli Tip: Remove the seeds before cooking.

Why am I interested in experimenting with chillis?

 I’ve been on a little health journey recently and am super excited to try chillies for medicinal purposes, but still want to be kind to myself, and build a tolerance at my own pace.

 Benefits of including chilli in your diet could include:

1. Reduces risk of type 2 diabetes
2. Prevents allergies
3. Reduces inflammation
4. Boosts immune system, helps fight colds, flu and fungal infections
5. Improves metabolism and helps with weight loss
6. Healthy heart
7. Improves eye health
8. Helps migraines
9. Prevents bad breath
10. Healthy hair and skin
11. Digestive tract/ulcers/upset tummy
12. Promotes red blood cell growth (anaemia and fatigue)
13. Reduces cancer risk
14. Helps with skin conditions (calms psoriasis)
15. Reduces joint pain

 Why are you interested in experimenting with Chillis?

 Whatever your reason, lets enjoy the journey together 😊

 All the best,

Hannah x