One month in India: eating tips to getting spiced-out
I will be in India (Hyderabad) for about a month. I like spicy food, but it is a treat, not normal event. Last time I went to (North of) India, after a week, I had too much of the spices and my mouth was - somewhat - burning. I don't eat Indian food normally, so it is probably due to my inexperience with dishes.
Given the longer period this time, I would like to know if there is any advice on how to balance dishes to minimize the spice burn-out over time. Are there specific dishes to look-out for that counter-act other spicy dishes. It is a work trip rather than a stay with a local family, so I can order anything, but the eating advice would be hard to come by. And I can't eat just naan bread for weeks.
Best Answer
If you are ordering in a restaurant, you can ask the server to suggest dishes that are less spicy (dishes with malai and such). Also you can request them to tone down the spices of the dishes you are ordering (this works sometimes). You can also order for dahi (curd) separately.
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How long does it take to adapt to spicy food?
If you keep at it, those mildly spicy foods will eventually taste like nothing, and moderately spicy food will start to taste mild. Try to eat something spicy at least once a week. You will start to enjoy the heat. You may even start actively seeking out spicy food in a few months!How do I train myself to like spicy food?
Try adding seeded, chopped chiles to your meals. Start with milder ones like poblanos and cubanelles before moving onto jalapenos and serranos. A friend of mine who worked up his spicy tolerance advised this: "It needs to be somewhat gradual, but don't be afraid to go a little too spicy sometimes.How do you reduce the spiciness in Indian food?
If you are making an Indian or Asian dish such as Thai or Indian curry, adding a nutty paste of either cashew nut, peanut, almond, tahini paste or even coconut paste will help reduce the spiciness. You can add nut butter or nut paste to soups too. The fat content in the paste helps reduce the intensity of the chilli.Can you adapt to spicy food?
It isn't a myth \u2014 you really can increase your level of spice tolerance through frequent exposure. When you eat foods containing capsaicin, your TRPV1 receptors open up and let sodium and calcium ions in, which sends pain signals to the brain.Food Theory: How To SURVIVE Spicy Food! (Hot Ones Challenge)
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