Cayenne pepper is made from red chili peppers that are dried and ground into a fine powder. It adds a pungent, spicy heat to foods, but its active ingredient, capsaicin, can stimulate pain receptors, which is why pepper spray created from capsaicin is an effective weapon for self-defense. When the heat is more than you can handle, there are several steps you can take to cut the taste of cayenne pepper. If the first one doesn’t work, move on to the next until cayenne’s fiery flavor has been eradicated.
Step 1
Consume a cultured dairy product, such as yogurt, sour cream or buttermilk. These foods contain casein, one of the proteins found in milk. Casein helps detach capsaicin from the pain receptors in your mouth, allowing it to be dissolved and removed. The lactic acid found in yogurt also helps neutralize capsaicin, according to IndiaCurry.com.
Step 2
Drink an acidic juice. Capsaicin is an alkaline substance, which places it on the opposite end of the pH scale from acids. Alkaline and acidic substances neutralize each other. Acidic juices that may be used to cut the taste of cayenne include tomato, lemon and lime.
Step 3
Eat a fatty food. Capsaicin is soluble in fat, so foods such as peanut butter, full fat milk or bread soaked in butter may help dispel its flavor.
Step 4
Down a bit of strong alcohol if you are of legal drinking age. Be aware, however, that hot beverages with low alcohol content, such as warm brandy, can intensify cayenne’s heat. According to IndiaCurry.com, a better choice would be a cold beverage with a high alcohol content, such as scotch on the rocks.
Things You'll Need
- Cultured dairy product
- Acidic juice
- Fatty food
- Strong alcohol
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