An unusual study reveals that people who cook with a lot of spices are more extroverted, curious or confident.
In the kitchen, spices are primarily recognized as flavor enhancers. They can flavor a dish, give it more taste or spiciness. And in the field of health, certain spices are acclaimed for their virtues on our body. Thus, turmeric would contribute to reduce bad cholesterol and coriander soothes digestive disorders.
However, spices are said to have another amazing ability. Indeed, the mere fact of knowing whether a person likes eating spicy or not would be characteristic of certain personalities. In any case, this is the astonishing finding that emerges from a study carried out by American researchers.
The study in question was published on December 3, 2022 on the specialized site Study Finds.
More atypical personalities who love more spicy dishes
In this study, the researchers used a panel of 2,000 volunteers. They asked respondents whether they liked spicy food and the levels of chili peppers they tolerated. At the same time, they also asked respondents to complete a questionnaire about their personality.
The two results were then analyzed to see if there was a link between this food preference and the personality of the respondents. However, it would seem that people who appreciate spicy dishes have more exuberant personality traits.
More than a third of respondents (approximately 36%) admitted to enjoying the spicy food. But only 24% of volunteers said they liked dishes loaded with or strong in pepper. And among the 24% concerned, many reported being creative, confident in themselves and their abilities, or more adventurous. They are also more satisfied with their life as a rule, outgoing and attractive.
The shyness or empathy linked to eating few spices?
On the contrary, people who preferred lightly spiced cuisine or mild chilli were more reserved by nature. It also appears that they were generally more shy but also more empathetic. For Kevan Vetter, Executive Chef of Frank’s RedHot brand and sponsor of the study, “These results only confirm what we have known all along. People who like spicy foods also have a spicy personality.”
Nevertheless, the results should be used with caution because they were only made with a small panel. In addition, 9% of respondents said they could not stand spicy food. Further study with a more scientific approach would therefore be necessary to confirm these results.