Chilli fumes

[Chantal]

I'm making some chilli jelly and I it's affected my breathing, again. As soon as I deseed or chop up chillis when I breath the smell catches in my throat, I start to cough and my lungs hurt. What causes it? Just the smell of chillies on my hands, even after I've washed them is enough to set me off. Eating chillies causes me no problem whatsoever.

[pigletwillie]

its a chemical called capasin that causes it, even though it burns like buggery if you rub your eyes or other sensitive areas after handling them, it causes no physical damage and soon disipates.

So there, wash your hands you dirty moo.

[Chantal]

How can I not breathe it in when I'm chopping them up? Wear a gas mask? I know all about sticking the stuff in my eyes but this is like asthma.

Dirty moo, you wait until Malvern...

[Tigger]

He's right - it's capsaicin that affects the trigeminal cells in your mouth, nose and throat. These are pain receptor cells. Capsaicin also causes your system to speed up your metabolic rate and increase perspiration and make your nose run.

What a picture!

[Chantal]

The Miss Piggy or me with my nose running?

[Tigger]

Just a thought - I assume you know that the Chilli is from the Solanaceae family, otherwise know as nightshade. Hope you're cooking with the right ones or it may be a short career as Moderator!

[Tigger]

Both!

[Chantal]

Oh, OK and sorry guys, I nearly forgot, thanks for the info.

[pigletwillie]

thats the most lifelike avatar yet Chanters

[Chantal]

My sentiments entirely Piglet, sadly. However, I have dark hair at the moment so the likeness is less striking. I've just found a great one for tomorrow!

[Sue]

Try partially freezing the chillies Chantal. If you get them to the just setting stage they don't affect you half as much when being chopped up (and who wants snot in the chilli jelly anyway )

Sue

[Chantal]

Thanks Sue I'll give it a go. I really struggled today and am still coughing. Chilli Jelly is bloody terrific though and very very hot.

[David]

Sorry to be stupid but what do you do with Chilli jelly?

Is it a fiendish plot for revenge on 5 year olds at parties?

David

[Johnboy]

Hi Peter,
What ever you do with it do not use it to treat piles!!
If you think Chillis are bad DO NOT attempt to make Horse Radish Sauce in a confined area. I actually went blind for about twenty minutes (and none of you smutty comments Piglet) and had very sore eyes for almost a month.

[Chantal]

Johnboy, how do you know?

David, chilli jelly can be eaten with any meat, hot or cold; added to gravy; spread on bread with cheese and toasted; added to empanadas, tortillas or enchiladas; eaten with ham; most things really. It's hot and a little sweet, scrummy stuff and very addictive.

However, Tim's decision to eat it spread on toasted hot cross buns was not a good one.