More and more hot sauces are being introduced into the market at a rate that I cannot keep up with. I get an excitement when I discover a new sauce and sometimes I forget to test the heat level. I like a hot sauce for the flavor and bot so much the heat so my tolerance level is very low. Here’s what to do if the hot sauce you just ate is too hot.
If the hot sauce you just consumed is too hot take some sips of milk or a couple spoonful’s of vanilla ice cream to help neutralize the capsaicin on your lips, mouth and tongue. The protein in dairy helps break down the capsaicin found in hot peppers and hot sauce. A glass of water will only make the burning sensation worse and spread it through your mouth.
Probably the best thing you can do when you have covered your dinner with hot sauce is to know your tolerance level and know your sauce, BEFORE you begin eating. I would never cover a plate of eggs with a sauce I haven’t tried yet so I will usually put it on the side. Always try a little dab on your finger if you’re about to eat a sauce you are not familiar with, it really small quantities.
Also, possibly a friend has recommended a particular product to you so that is always another way of gauging how hot it may be. I will almost always put some on the side, even if I have had it before. Perhaps you have selected a new sauce and you underestimated the heat level. Many manufacturers provide the amount of heat level a hot sauce has on their label as part of their marketing campaign. These are probably more suggestions for the novice hot sauce eater or someone who may have a low tolerance, like me.
1. Take a sip of milk
Milk or other dairy products such as ice cream can give immediate relief to a burning tongue after a serving of scorching hot sauce. Whole milk is best and seems to be on every list for dealing with the extreme heat of hot sauce. Keep a glass of milk nearby as you probably already have one with your dinner. The protein in milk and other dairy products will break down the capsaicin found in peppers and hot sauce. I like to sip it slowly and let my tongue soak.
2. Eat a spoonful of peanut butter
Eat a spoonful of creamy peanut butter, not crunchy unless crunchy is all you have, that will work also. It’s the fatty oil in peanut butter that breaks down the capsaicin. Because of the texture of peanut butter it will sit on your tongue and moth area longer. I have seen peanut butter a few times on several different lists along with other butters like almond. Whipped butter can be used as well but it may be difficult to consume a large mouthful of it. Press it directly on your tongue and lip area and keep it on these areas as long as possible.
3. Consume a piece of buttered bread
The butter works similarly to the creamy peanut butter but may be difficult to eat just plain butter, unless of course tears are streaming down your face and you are sweating profusely. Plain bread works good as well and it doesn’t if it is whole grain, white or wheat. I keep it in my mouth and let it soak up the heat as long as possible. Gluten free breads will work well also.
4. Eat ice cream or other dairy products
Sherbet and popsicles will work as well but it is the dairy content of ice cream that breaks down the capsaicin. Keep it in your mouth until it melts. I have read vanilla ice cream works best, but I am sure any flavor (aside from jalapeno) would work. It’s the dairy in these products and not necessarily the cool temperature, although that seems to help as well.
5. Sprinkle sugar on your tongue
Sugar will neutralize the heat by putting straight granulated sugar directly into your mouth. This works with the burning sensation from hot sauce but also other types of burns in your mouth. It may be difficult to eat large amounts if the burning continues after consuming a spoonful. Sugar is also used in sauces to control or lessen some of the heat levels.
6. Try some avocado or guacamole
I Love it. I cannot eat large amounts, but it is certainly delicious. Of all the methods in this blog this one reduced the heat the least but was the most delicious. For some this works better than the top five methods or you may have some of these other items readily available.
Will water make my tongue burn more?
Water is not the best thing for me to reduce the after effects of a spicy hot sauce. I saw my friend stick his tongue under the sink for ten minutes after eating a jalapeno when we were kids and he only screamed more as we all laughed. I have not read it anywhere that water will reduce the stinginess of hot sauce. The only liquid that is reoccurring on every list to reduce the heat of hot sauce is milk. I have seen milk also as a way to reduce the heat in recipes like chili.
Will just bread absorb the spiciness of hot sauce?
Bread with or without butter is an effective way to absorb the spiciness of hot sauce inside of your mouth. I prefer to keep in in my mouth for a couple of minutes and then spit the bread out. Many other foods where the main ingredient is flour based will work also. Even gluten free products that are made with rice or nut flours can help absorb the burn inside your mouth.
Can you build a tolerance to hot sauce?
I have been eating hot sauce since I was a teenager and I think it still affects me the same and I just seem to expect it. I don’t seem to have tolerance, but I am educated on what to do if something is too hot. Like a lot of things that are consumed in the body you can build a tolerance to hot sauce either purposely or simply by eating it regularly. The burning sensation from hot sauce is a pain so if you think you can build a tolerance to pain you can build a tolerance to hot sauce.
My tongue is burning from hot sauce. The tongue, lips and mouth are sensitive to many foods and especially hot sauce. Always avoid other areas of your body as well such as eye and private parts. I have an article written specifically on what to do if you get hot sauce in your eye titled 8 Ways To Relieve Your Eye From Hot Sauce Burn. Don’t try this at home.
I used to go for the milk. Now, I either wait for the heat to subside by itself or do things to escalate it, such as add more spice or go for the water. When the heat has been upped to a desired level, I let it decelerate on its own.
Thomas Robert Thompson, if a sauce is too hot the first time, I think about how much to use for the next event. I do not let it deter me from the experience.