Why are chilies hot?
Chilies contain a substance called capsaicin. There are two theories as to why the plants produce this substance. The first theory is based on the different nervous systems of mammals and birds. While mammals perceive capsaicin as hot and spicy, birds feel nothing from the substance. Plants are benefiting from birds, which is why nature created fruits to be eaten by birds so they can spread it through their droppings. Because mammals are crushing the chili seeds with their teeth and digesting them afterwards, plants are not likely intending to produce those fruits for humans to eat. So hot chili plants have the evolutionary advantage that their fruits are more likely to be eaten by birds and thus have a greater chance of being carried away.The second theory is based on the fungicidal properties of capsaicin. In Bolivia, a correlation was found between the risk of fungal attack and the amount of capsaicin in chili peppers. The capsaicin would therefore function as a natural plant protection.

Are the seeds really the hottest part?
Most capsaicin is produced in the placenta of the fruit. It’s the white tissue inside the fruit. The seeds themselves do not actually contain any capsaicin and therefore heat at all, but are often still coated by this white tissue. The flesh of the fruit contains only very little capsaicin.

Spiciness is not a taste - and not part of the five basic tastes: sourness, sweetness, saltiness, bitterness and umami. Moreover it is also not a combination of those basic tastes. It happens to be a pain sensation! Why? Because pain is a natural warning that makes you aware of something damaging your body. So the irritation causes a protective reaction for you to move away from that source of danger or damage. That protection results in moist mucous membranes and sweating!Capsaicin binds to pain receptors in the nose, mouth and skin that are normally only activated by heat. So, why do so many of us like to eat something that tricks our brains into thinking our tongues are on fire?! There is a connection between the release of happy neurotransmitters and pain. So a certain kind of pain can give us pleasure and joy. So with the certainty that chilis are not really dangerous (with a well functioning digestive system) and the pain will stop in the foreseeable future makes us want to seek the thrill. It is the same mechanism that makes us jump out of an airplane with a parachute, fall down a deep ravine on a bungee cord, or watch horror movies. Scientists call this strange phenomenon "benign masochism". We are exposing ourselves to this sort of pain with the anticipation of a following rush of happiness. It has also been found that there is a correlation between a person's willingness to take risks and the spiciness of their food. People who go skydiving often eat spicier food - or at least they say so...So if you're one of those people who seek adventure and thrills, this hot sauce set offers you a wide range of spicy experiences: From the mild Ancho Chili to the hottest chili in the world - the Carolina Reaper. Burning eyes, tongues, noses as well as sweats and thrills are guaranteed!