Apples Are Your Secret Weapon To Temper Overly Spicy Dishes

Although purposefully setting your mouth ablaze with chili powder or red pepper flakes doesn't appeal to everyone, spice produces endorphins and serotonin. Additionally, there are many health benefits of spicy food, ranging from increased metabolism to reducing inflammation. Also, they simply taste good. But as incredible as the kick from spicy food is, there are certainly times when we may go overboard on adding pepper to our soups, stews, and chilis.

Our first instinct may be to add a splash of water to temper the heat. However, that can dilute the other flavors and cause the food to become too runny. Instead, try using an apple to get rid of the extra spice without compromising the flavor of your food. The hack may sound weird, but the scientific makeup of an apple helps reduce spice in your soups or stews.

Apples contain starch, which absorbs up the excess pepper within the food. Adding sweetness to overheated dishes also helps to control spice; apples are subtly sweet, making enough of a difference while enhancing the dish. The fruits also fall on the acid side of the pH scale, allowing it to neutralize pepper in a dish.

Since the inside of the apple is the most absorbent part, peel away the outer skin before placing it in your food. You can slice the fruit depending on how much pepper you want to take away; start with a quarter of the apple and work up if it's still too spicy. Let it sit in the food for a few minutes or until the apple slice is slightly soggy.

With acidity being a common way to cut through the spice of a dish, you can also add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to your food. Start with one tablespoon and taste the dish occasionally, as too much acid can change the taste of your food.

One of the best ways to fix soup that's way too spicy is by incorporating dairy into your meal. Casein, a protein found in cow and goat milk, butter, cheese, and yogurt, helps to temper the spice in peppery dishes. Add some whole milk or Greek yogurt to soup to make it creamier and more pleasant to eat.