Join Nicola Twilley and Cynthia Graber, co-hosts of Gastropod, alongside culinary historian Maricel Presilla and chili researcher Denise Kuhn. They explore why we crave spicy foods despite the heat. Discover chili peppers’ fascinating origins and their evolutionary journey. Find out about the unique flavors of various chili species and the science behind their burn. Learn how peppers traveled the globe, influencing cuisines, and hear about the rise of super hot varieties and their cultural impact.