Science of Spiciness

Polymodal

• related to many modes

• related to a single mode

• related to sound

• related to light

Nociceptors

• pain receptors

• temperature receptors

• touch receptors

• taste receptors

Capsaicin

• a type of pepper

• a type of sensory neuron

• a measure of spiciness

• a type of taste receptor

Scoville scale

• measures the sourness of food

• measures the sweetness of food

• measures the spiciness of food

• measures the saltiness of food

Isothiocyanates

• compounds found in chili peppers and black pepper

• compounds that activate polymodal nociceptors

• compounds found in mustard, horseradish, and wasabi

• compounds that measure a food's Scoville heat units