How Chilis Got Spicy (and Why We Love the Burn)

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Today, chilis are the most widely cultivated spice crop in the world - grown everywhere from their native home in the Americas to Europe, Africa, and Asia. But how and why did chilis evolve this weird, fiery trick in the first place? And why did we learn to love that spicy burn?

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[ClipCoyote]

I can just about guarantee that the first person to eat a hot pepper immediately got a friend to eat one telling them it was sweet.

[nickvoelker]

Humans: I bet we can selectively breed this plant to make its fruit even spicier.
Plant: Um, not really what I was going for.

[adamthompson]

Chillies: evolve capsaicin over millions of years to ward off animals
Ancient humans: mmm, mouth tingly

[musicbyastrid]

"it kinda gets you high"
[Roll footage of Hank lying under a table]

[immortal_shrooms]

our brain when we eat a hot chili: " Would you like some chemical relief in these trying times"

[NovaPotter]

In ancient Mexico, chilli was planted among corn, beans, etc as a way to protect the fields from grasshoppers and other insects. Also, misbehaved children were punished by making them smell burned chillis.

[mouseysip]

Chilli Peppers: Evolves to scare away predators
Humans: *I like your funny taste magic plant*

[mattpinap]

You had me at "Car-Sized Armadillos"

[thebkstank]

It's crazy that chili peppers have gone from making a burning sensation to writing songs about California with good basslines.

[Jumpoable]

It's crazy to think this spicy fruit from South America is now a NECESSARY ingredient for authentic Thai, Korean, Indian, Malaysian, Indonesian, Hunan, Sichuan, Vietnamese & various African & Southeast Asian cuisines. ❤‍🔥

[WillyOrca]

First Human to eat pepper: wow that was pretty intense! Thought I was dying there for a minute. I'm glad the pain is finally over.
Pepper being digested: for now...

[menkomonty]

Chili Peppers: Consume us and you will be entering a fiery realm of complete torture.
Early Humans: Eh, what's the worst that could happen?

[corwin]

Chili peppers: “Curse you, you hairless apes! You’ve foiled us again!”

[hachinguyen]

Puffer fish: has poison to avoid being eaten
Chilli: has capsicum so mammals can't consume
.
Human: i eat all

[andrietsa]

The footage of Hank trying not to die from chilli overdose: priceless!

[MortyMortyMorty]

Chili: Develops a defense mechanism against fungi and animals over 100 million years.
Humans: Oh, baby I like it that way 😉

[erinrising]

plus if your nose is stuffed up from (seasonal) allergies, chilies will clear them out
Edited to add seasonal for people allergic to chillies. Duh of course don't take something if you're allergic to it.

[Ashley-vgfv]

Chilis: "yes, I am now hot, things won't bother me."
Humans: "HeeHoo tasty spice"

[Alexander_Sannikov]

I like it how Russia is one of approximately 1.5 countries in the world that did not end up cultivating chilis. That's why we consider anything spicier than mashed potatoes very spicy.

[Mark_nobody]

Chill - “We have hot skin to defend ourselves, nothing can destroy us”

Human - “Oh? New plant let’s have a taste test” 🥸