Are you a spicy food lover? If so, surely you know how excruciating the burning sensation that lingers on the tongue after consuming an incredibly delicious meal. On the one hand, you can't stop eating it; but on the other hand, the sensation that lingered after was extremely unpleasant. Do not worry; This article provides some powerful tips that you can apply to relieve the hot, burning sensation on your tongue. For example, try eating foods and drinks rich in oils and fats to help break down the capsaicin and reduce any lingering burning sensation.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Relieve Spicy Sensation with Drinks
Step 1. Consume a glass of milk
You probably already know that drinking milk is very effective in relieving the burning and stinging sensation caused by eating spicy food. Why is that? In fact, milk contains a protein called casein that is effective at breaking down capsaicin, an active component that forms in nerve receptors after eating spicy foods and can cause a burning sensation on your tongue.
Step 2. Drink sour-tasting juice
Consuming acidic fruit juices such as tomatoes, oranges, or lemons is effective in neutralizing the pH of spicy foods so that they can relieve the burning sensation on your tongue.
Step 3. Drink a shot of alcohol
Basically, capsaicin can dissolve in high-alcohol drinks. If you're old enough to drink alcohol, try drinking a shot of pure alcohol such as tequila, rum, or vodka to relieve the burning sensation on your tongue.
Don't try to relieve the spicy sensation by drinking beer. Generally, the water content in beer is always higher than the alcohol content so it will not work as effectively
Step 4. Don't drink water
Although drinking a glass of cold water after eating spicy food is a relief, in fact water will actually burn your tongue even more. Remember, capsaicin is a natural oil; You know that water and oil can never mix, right? That is why, water will not be able to break down capsaicin and relieve the spicy sensation on your tongue. Instead, the water will actually spread the capsaicin all over the tongue, making the effects even more uncomfortable.
Method 2 of 2: Relieve Spicy Sensation with Food
Step 1. Sprinkle sugar or pour honey on your tongue
Sweetener in any form is effective at neutralizing the spicy taste that lingers in your mouth. Therefore, try sprinkling your tongue with sugar or coating it with honey to significantly relieve the capsaicin sensation. After that, your tongue will be dominated by a pleasant sweet taste.
Step 2. Eat yogurt or sour cream
The fat and oil content in all dairy products is effective in relieving the burning sensation on the tongue after eating spicy food. Therefore, try eating a little yogurt or sour cream to break down the capsaicin as dish soap breaks down fat and oil that sticks to dirty dishes.
For best results, choose high-fat yogurt and sour cream
Step 3. Drop some olive oil on your tongue
Although the thick and sticky sensation of the oil will feel disgusting on your tongue, actually the oil contains a high enough fat content to eradicate the spicy sensation after eating spicy food. Since olive oil has a strong taste and aroma, cover your nose when consuming it.
If you don't like the taste and smell of olive oil that is too strong, try replacing it with peanut oil
Step 4. Eat starchy foods
Whether it's bread, chips, potatoes, rice, or pasta, they act as a barrier between capsaicin and your mouth; Thus, the spicy sensation you feel will be significantly reduced.
Step 5. Eat a piece of milk chocolate
Milk chocolate which is high in fat content is a great remedy to relieve the spicy sensation on your tongue. After eating something that's too spicy, try sucking on a piece of chocolate candy to relieve the effects of capsaicin on your taste buds.
Instead, do not eat dark chocolate because the fat content is quite low
Tips
- Gradually, get used to your tongue to eat spicy foods.
- Sometimes, the level of spiciness of a food can be determined by its smell. But be careful, there are times when foods that don't smell spicy actually have a very spicy taste!