We can thank Capsicum, a compound found in hot peppers, for that delicious hot kick that so many of us love. But besides giving our foods that spice we love, here’s the real kicker. Hot peppers not only raise your body temperature, they also cause your body to burn more calories and boost your metabolism.

According to the International Journal of Obesity, hotter peppers have a greater effect… so the spicier the better! There are literally hundreds of varieties of hot peppers from all around the globe, each with a unique flavor, shape, and color and heat level. Variety is truly the spice of life!

How to buy it

Look for different varieties of hot peppers at your local grocery stores.  By shopping at  international food stores, you will find more exotic varieties of hot peppers.  Hot peppers come in a variety of ways; you can buy whole canned hot peppers, ready-made hot sauces, dried hot peppers and pepper flakes. Regardless of the type, hot peppers can be the perfect ingredient to one of your favorite recipes.

Quick cooking tip

Prepare delicious chili, curries or sauces with your favorite hot pepper.  Depending on the size of the hot pepper, you can also stuff hot peppers such as the jalapeño as a fiery side dish.

Some recipes call for “seeding” hot peppers. Seeding means you remove the seeds and veins. Although the actual seeds and veins hold all the “heat,” the oils in the peppers can irritate your skin. Some people wear rubber gloves when seeding and chopping hot peppers to avoid this irritation. A very handy tool for seeding hot peppers is a melon baller. Simply cut the pepper in half, hold the stem end down, and roll the melon baller from the tip back to the stem end. The veins and seeds all come out in one swift motion.