Why are peppers spicy?
Spicy peppers have a special stuff inside that feels hot in your mouth.
Pip’s answer
- Spicy peppers have a special stuff inside that feels hot in your mouth.
- It isn't really hot. It just tricks your tongue into feeling warm! Sneaky!
- Scientists think the pepper plant uses spice to keep hungry animals away.
- Wow-ee, birds don't feel the spice, so they eat peppers and spread the seeds!
For grown-ups
Hot peppers contain capsaicin, which activates the same heat-sensing nerve receptors in your mouth that respond to real heat, so your brain feels burning without any actual temperature change. Plants likely evolved capsaicin to deter mammals; birds don't feel it and help spread the seeds.
Ask your child: Why do you think milk helps cool a spicy mouth better than water?
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