About this episode
Perhaps no other plant is as entwined with pain and pleasure as the chile pepper. But why does it burn—and why on earth do we crave that uncomfortable sensation? How did capsaicin's fungus-fighting, digestion-enhancing, and adrenaline-triggering powers convince early hunter gatherers in South America to fall in love with the chile's tiny berry ancestors, and then European colonists to spread chiles around the world? Plus, new insights into the rise of the “superhots,” chilehead competitions, and a murder-by-Carolina-Reaper attempt right here on team Gastropod. Who survived to tell the tale? Listen in to find out! (encore)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Get every episode summarized
Each time Gastropod publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Gastropod
Plant Milk Proliferation: Oat, Soy, Almond, and More, But Which Is Best?
Gastropod
Sep 8, 202648:52pending
Salad Days: A Story of Science, Sexism, and Jell-O
Gastropod
Aug 4, 202644:31pending
Where There's Smoke, There's...Whiskey, Fish, and Barbecue!
Gastropod
Jul 21, 202651:05pending
America's Forbidden Fruit and Forgotten First Soda: Ask Gastropod
Gastropod
Jul 7, 202650:12pending