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The science of spiciness - Rose Eveleth

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TEDEd Animation

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When you take a bite of a hot pepper, your body reacts as if your mouth is on fire -- because that's essentially what you've told your brain! Rose Eveleth details the science and history behind spicy foods, giving insights into why some people continue to pay the painful price for a little spice.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

How spicy food might be part of your personality.
The evolution of human olfaction.
More about the Scoville Scale.
The race to create the hottest pepper.
How hot sauces perk up your food and your mood.

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Rose Eveleth
  • Director Tom Beuerlein
  • Producer Darcy Vorhees
  • Narrator Rose Eveleth

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