2007-08-06 11:17:53 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
Because the fat in the milk coats your tongue and the chile doesn't have as much contact with your taste buds.
I cringe whenever I see someone eating hot indian curry, then they drink a carbonated beverage like coke. That makes the pain so much worse, and really messes up your stomach when it mixes with the spice.
2007-08-06 11:22:37 · answer #1 · answered by gg 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if this is the official scientific answer, but i think it has something to do with milk being fat-based. Most spices come from an oil, so trying to drink water won't work because oil and water don't mix. Milk can calm the spices and wash away the burn.
Eating bread or rice will also cool a spicy tongue.
2007-08-06 18:24:12 · answer #2 · answered by C S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Milk and other dairy products will coat the capasicin molecules (the substance that produces the "hot" sensation in spicy food) so that it can't react with the nerves in your mouth.
Water will only spread the capsaicin around in your mouth and actually worsen the burning. Many people use bread, which absorbs capsaicin and allows you to swallow it and get it out of your mouth, but only dairy will actually coat the molecule and counteract its effects...
2007-08-06 18:24:28 · answer #3 · answered by Body by BBQ 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lactose in the milk neutralizes the hot oils in the food. Neat, huh.
2007-08-06 18:21:55 · answer #4 · answered by Kat H 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because the fat and protein in the milk lessens the capsaisian that produces the heat.
2007-08-06 18:22:47 · answer #5 · answered by foodtvfan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It helps coat your stomach.
2007-08-06 18:20:31 · answer #6 · answered by Truth is elusive 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋