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When you’re sharing a meal with family or friends at a Chinese restaurant, you may need to discuss how spicy everyone prefers their food. Some people love spicy food, while others can’t tolerate much heat at all. If you fall into the latter category, you don’t have to stick to ordering bland dishes, though. Over time, you can learn to enjoy spicy foods with the following tips.

How to Eat Spicy Food

1. Start Small

Food gets its spiciness from a compound called capsaicin, which triggers the heat receptors in your tongue to send a message to the brain that the item is “hot.” The more capsaicin in the dish, the spicier it is.

Over time, though, your tongue can become accustomed to this sensation and requires more heat to send those signals to your brain. This means you can build your tolerance to spiciness by starting with a bit of heat and slowly adding more. 

2. Eat Slowly

Chinese restaurantEating slowly is better for you in general (it helps with digestion and allows you to feel full sooner), but it’s especially important when you are eating spicy foods. When you order a spicy dish at a Chinese restaurant, take your time and eat small bites.

When you take a bite of spicy food, alternate with other items to help your mouth cool down before adding more heat. Rice is an excellent choice between spicy bites because the starch can absorb some of the capsaicin, and the texture gives your tongue another food to focus on. 

3. Drink Icy Beverages

Sometimes drinking water after eating spicy food intensifies the heat, but taking a sip of ice cold water (or a frozen version of your favorite Chinese restaurant cocktail) can numb the nerves in your mouth and lower the spiciness. Dairy products can also reduce the effect of spice on your tongue (including coconut water or coconut milk). Some people also find that citric acid, such as that found in lemons and limes, can cool the mouth down after a spicy bite. 

 

Whether you like spicy or mild food, head to Hong Wah Restaurant in Penfield, NY. This award-winning Chinese restaurant has served authentic Asian cuisine for lunch and dinner since 2007. View their extensive menu online, or call (585) 385-2808 to order takeout or make a reservation.

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