Some cater to specific market demands, offering organic, non-GMO, or allergen-free options Some cater to specific market demands, offering organic, non-GMO, or allergen-free options
In Sichuan cuisine, for instance, they are a key component of the famous Sichuan peppercorn and chilli oil, known as Lao Gan Ma In Sichuan cuisine, for instance, they are a key component of the famous Sichuan peppercorn and chilli oil, known as Lao Gan Ma
Let's get into some history. Capsaicin was first extracted in 1816 by Christian Fridrich. Further work by John Clough Thresh led to its naming in 1876, but it wasn´t until 1898 that Karl Micko isolated the compound in pure crystalline form. A century later, in 1997, David Julius discovered and cloned the cellular receptor for capsaicin, and brought a new level of understanding on how capsaicin works. We´ll get more into this science in the second part of this blog.
Like many spices, cayenne and paprika may offer a range of health benefits. Both are loaded with nutrients and may have other healing qualities, too. And if you are wondering, is it worth buying organic spices— in order to have the highest quality and healthiest spices, it just might be.
It's why when I use it to substitute hot paprika in my recipes, I combine it with chili flakes or powder. I usually add one-eight to one-fourth teaspoon of chili to a tablespoon of guajillo chili powder.