• MinnesotaGoddam@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    argument: we normally think of five flavors (salty, savory, sour, sweet, bitter) but without spicy the meal is not complete. shit, some people consider slimy a flavor and that’s fair.

    • flying_sheep@lemmy.ml
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      1 day ago

      There’s also menthol and whatever compound is in Szechuan pepper.

      OMG, now I’m craving Mapo Tofu.

      • MinnesotaGoddam@lemmy.world
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        24 hours ago

        whatever compound is in Szechuan pepper.

        i ran out of coffee beans and tea just doesn’t cut it are we talking a different spicy? is it that numbing effect some people get?

          • MinnesotaGoddam@lemmy.world
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            22 hours ago

            i’ve eaten the peppers but never gotten the numbing people told me i was supposed to get to that’s why i’ve been confused relating specifically to szechuan peppers my entire adult life

            • qqq@lemmy.world
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              3 hours ago

              The effect they’re talking about comes from the peppercorns, not the peppers. You heat them slightly in a pan and then grind them in a mortar and pestle. I run them through a fine strainer after that, but I dunno if you have to.

            • tigeruppercut@lemmy.zip
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              12 hours ago

              You should see if you can find some Japanese pepper. I find it has a stronger effect than the Szechuan ones. It’s not like a numbing so much, but it makes your lips tingle without making your tongue burn.

              Or maybe the problem is just needing the fresh varieties instead of dried. Even black pepper can be comparatively spicy when eaten fresh.

              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zanthoxylum_piperitum