Sanderson Media

What has a love of chillies and curry got to do with a corrupted palate?

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Why do some people crave spicy foods, chillies, curries, noodles and so forth while others go through life never wanting to challenge their taste buds?

Renown Australian chef, Jimmy Shu, pictured above, has put forward a plausible theory.

After years of tempting diners, he concludes that a palate corrupted by eating chillies and curries seems to turn a person into a discerning foodie. The more his customers like chilli and curry, the more they need variety and spice. It’s all in the “corruption of the palate”, he says.

Jimmy is a Sri Lankan born Chinese Chef who made his name in Melbourne and currently has restaurants in Springwood, Brisbane, Alice Springs and Darwin. So what are the many benefits of chilli?

Jimmy claims there are health benefits in eating chilli with Asian vegetables and certain rices.

Key benefits of chilli
Those who cook chilli and curry dishes often claim there are health benefits. It is well known that chilli speeds up your metabolism, plus the hot little critters are a rich source of vitamin C.
But now it is claimed that chilli works against the formation of cancer cells.

According to Dr K C Kanwar, writing in the Indian Tribune, there are many health benefits

So it seems that a palate corrupted by eating chilli may not only mean you are never happy with boredom in the kitchen but it may bring long-term health benefits.

Nutritionists also claim that chilli helps fight pain, temporarily increases the metabolism and eases nasal congestion.

A nutritionist writing for website, Health 24, further claims that chilli can discourage blood clots and stimulate the circulation. It can be a digestive aid and have anti-inflammatory benefits.

The ABC’s Health report dipped into the chilli pot as a useful pain
killer

In 100 grams of chilli you get more nutritional value than some fruit, containing 1.6 grams of fibre, 220 mg of potassium and 120 mg of vitamin C.

Chillies contain capsaicin, which is the source of the chilli’s heat.

Vegetarians, chillies and a corrupted palate

Jimmy Shu says the best vegetarian food comes from India.

He studied the vegetarian fare, herbs and spices used by the Hindu Brahmans and it reinforced this viewpoint.

Brahmans with pure herbs and spices get better flavours than others do with oyster sauce, fish sauce or chicken stock.

It has to be the pure straight herb and spice.

Food connoisseurs might want Jimmy’s lesson in they resist food boredom: “A palate that has been corrupted by chillies and curry is a more demanding palate. It is usually dissatisfied with mediocrity in a menu.”

“This usually awakens other senses of which an eater has not been aware,” Jimmy said.

You can easily learn to cook spicy Indian food

Ever since the Portugese brought chilli to India, people have been learning to eat like the Maharajah. Why not
try it today.

(Sanderson Media's breezy writing style and great images can get your message out to the world) contact john@sanderson-media.com

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