Peoples have used hot spices in their food for more than 6 thousand years, until there has been a global day to celebrate shata and hot food, which falls on January 16.

Today, some peoples and tribes celebrate the challenge of eating hot food, and Thailand, China, India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean countries are among the most famous countries that use hot food and very hot pepper in their daily dishes, and finally the importance of spices, especially hot ones, has increased due to their benefits discovered by modern science.

International Day of Hot Food and Spices

The founder of this date is not known until today, nor is the first year that spices were celebrated on this day, and this may be due to the presence of spicy food in many international kitchens for thousands of years.

Many celebrate this day at home or in restaurants by implementing challenges to eat the strongest homemade spicy recipes, so that everyone on the table shed tears from the intensity of the heat, and some restaurants participate in the celebration by offering dishes that taste very savory.

A number of dishes and recipes can be found on hashtags on social media sites such as HotAndSpicyFoodDay, # InternationalHotAndSpicyFoodDay, and videos of the impact of eating these spicy foods on the contestants can also be followed.

A list identifying the strongest hot peppers

Although people know about chili peppers and think they are stable, there is a menu that changes with the temperature of the pepper. Chili peppers contain capsaicinoid, an active compound that gives a hot sensation, and the temperature level is measured by a temperature unit called a Scoville "Show" (SHU).

More recently, the Carolina Reaper was named first in the Chili Eating Challenge last October. This chili has a "show" of two million and 200 thousand, and this pepper is 200 times hotter than the "jalapeno" pepper.

Spice benefits

Studies have shown that turmeric and cumin contain powerful anti-microbial and antioxidant properties, and it is considered an effective spice to combat harmful bacteria in the body.

Scientists have discovered the role of spices in fighting infections and their work as an anti-inflammatory for the body in general, and garlic and ginger have been used for several centuries as an original treatment for headaches, immune disorders and arthritis.

Perhaps the good news about the benefits of spices is their ability to increase metabolic rates, and then help to lose more weight, not only thanks to stimulating the metabolism process, but some spices have a great role in restraining the appetite, especially cinnamon, turmeric and cumin.

Chili peppers and spices are distinguished by their ability to reduce the appetite for sugars and sweets, so spice extracts are used in a number of appetite suppressing drugs, but too much is harmful to health.

Some residents of cold regions also eat hot food for the purpose of warming up and feeling warm, and a study confirmed that spices and hot food have great benefit in strengthening immunity and relieving pain.

Safety standards for eating spicy food

It is surprising to many that eating spicy food during pregnancy is 100% safe for the mother and the fetus, according to a study published in 2019, although some flavors that the mother consumes are transferred to the amniotic fluid, the spicy food does not negatively affect the fetus, and in another way;

Excessive eating spicy food may cause heartburn and indigestion, so it is not recommended to eat large quantities of it.

With the increasing interest in this occasion and the expansion of the circle of participants around the world, the pioneers of this industry and lovers of spices and hot foods are competing to create new and fun challenges to celebrate this day and the importance of spices and spicy foods.