BRING THE PAIN

Chef Mark Banthorpe, from Grenada’s Spice Island Beach Resort, delivers three fast facts on the hot stuff.

No.1 A pepper’s heat is measured using the Scoville scale, which was created by chemist Wilbur Scoville in 1912. Jalapeño peppers carry around 2,000-8,000 Scovilles. The world’s hottest pepper, India’s naga jolokia, clocks in at 1,000,000.

No.2 Hot peppers are said to speed up the metabolic rate, boost the immune system, stimulate endorphins, wipe out certain parasites in the gastro system, and relieve bronchitis.

No.3 Capsaicin, the oily substance in peppers that makes them hot, can burn sensitive areas like the eyes, skin, and stomach. Wear gloves when handling, and remember: If something is hot when it goes down, it will be hot when it comes out.

PRODUCT GUIDE: HOT SAUCE

Dinner taste wack? Add some sinus-clearing HOT SAUCE to make any food taste better. We put eleven brands to the test. More fiyah!