Debunking Spice Myths

There has been a lot of rumours and myth about spices, so we decided now is the perfect time to debunk such rumours and enlighten you more on them. Spices are nature’s gifts; they are natural just as nature made it so, with no addictive. Spices come from the seeds, bark, roots, fruit, or stems of a variety of plants and trees. They are used to enhance both sweet and savoury dishes. In the world of cuisine, spice are dried parts of plants that we used for cooking while the leaves are considered as the herbs. Without mincing words, we present to you some popular misconceptions and myth that you probably believed in and clear the air with facts.

Spices are not natural
Growing up, some of us were taught that spices are not healthy and as such we preferred to cook with seasonings alone. Interestingly, spices are 100% natural and even healthier than seasonings. Some of them have been known to be used for their medicinal purposes. When next time someone tells you otherwise, debunk that myth and enjoy a nutritious way of cooking with amazing health benefits.

Spicy food can cause ulcer
This myth is the oldest😂 For a long time, people have speculated spicy foods is a major contributor to stomach problems and ulcers; something we’ve probably witnessed from various movies and shows, right? However, it turns out that Helicobacter pylori, a type of stomach bacteria was the real culprit here all along, and not spicy food themselves. Having realised this, we restore spicy food to its rightful position on the list of wholesome food.

Spices should always be used fresh, not dry
Many are of the perception that spices are only to be used fresh and not dry. This is a myth. It might please you to know that Spices have their freshest and most robust taste right after they are ground. I mean, have you tried Tiger Garlic Powder, Tiger Ginger, Thyme and their sisters?😄 These dried ground whole spices would give you the most flavourful dishes.

Spices don’t need preservation
Not true! Spices, like all foods, have a distinct shelf life and will go bad when the time is right. The length of that shelf life depends on how the spices are cared for. Spices need to be stored properly to last for a long time. To preserve their aromatic flavour and potency, cover them tightly and store them in a cool, dry place. Do not pour them directly to the pot while cooking to avoid them soaking up moisture from the steam.

Spicy foods induce Labour
This has got to be the funniest myth of them all🤣 It has not been proven by Science that spicy food lead to premature labour in women, notwithstanding, pregnant women are advised to check with their doctor to advice on their most preferred lifestyle to accommodate mother and child. A study noted that overspiced food may cause cramping and uterine contractions for women who are already dilated. That said, there’s no evidence to support the theory that spicy food induces labor. Another myth debunked.

Certain ethnic group have a higher spice tolerance
It is often said that the Yoruba tribe are commonly known as lovers of peppery food, which isn’t a bad thing if you ask us 🤷‍♀️ We also know that people from other ethnic groups love pepper, so it is no longer about certain ethnic group having unusual love or having a high tolerance for peppery food.  It’s more about individual preference for spicy food.

Spicy foods kill taste buds
Yes, we know that Pepper may sometimes trigger the heat-sensing receptors—so, even though your entire tongue may feel numb for a moment, your taste buds in fact remain unaffected.  This numbness is same as one feels when a physically challenging workout yields an “endorphin high.” The numbness experienced from spicy ingredients is actually the body’s defense mechanism temporarily at work. In fact, it is possible to improve your spice tolerance over time by integrating more capsaicin into your diet in small doses.

We have debunked some of spice myth, we know you have some spice myth you would want to share to with us. We are waiting for you at the comment section.

Thank you for stopping by.