Hot Food vs. Spicy Food

P (Pre).S.: Unless and otherwise mentioned, the term "hot" in following note is NOT used as in high temperature.

I have met many people who just use the words "hot" and "spicy" interchangeably for the food that makes them do "sss... sss...". This note is specifically written for them and I would like to say that all of those who believe that "hot" and "spicy" can be used interchangeably, YOU ARE VERY WRONG.

Let me try to make it clear today that HOT food is not always SPICY and similarly SPICY food is not always HOT. Both of these words: HOT and SPICY represent two different taste sensations. Let's discuss the same in detail.

When we talk about a food being “hot” in taste, we really mean that it produces a burning sensation in one’s mouth. On the other hand, “spicy” traditionally describes savory and flavorful foods. In layman's terms, the food which hurts your tongue, makes you sweat profusely and brings tears in your eyes is "hot" food. It MIGHT be spicy but not always. For example, Tabasco sauce is “hot” and its not at all spicy. Add a tablespoon of Tabasco sauce to your recipe and you would inevitably produce a strong burning sensation in one’s mouth with it. On similar thoughts, adding lots of red chilli powder, jalapenos or serranos will make your food "hot" but not "spicy".

To make food spicy, one DOES NOT need any type of chilli. Food becomes "spicy" on adding various spices likes crushed garlic, ginger, black pepper, cardamom, coriander, cumin etc. "Spicy" food never hurts your tongue provided its not "hot AND spicy". Spicy food hurts your throat and inner part of digestive canal. By eating spicy food, a person feels heat from inside. He never sweats.

People might defend giving any lame reason that terms "hot" and "spicy" are same. But I repeat myself, they are NOT same. "Spicy", according to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, refers to “having the quality, flavor, or fragrance of spice.” "Spicy" food has taste and flavor that you can taste/feel, while "hot" food does not have any taste other than being pungent. In "hot" food, there are other tastes but all of them are masked by the strong "pungent" taste.

Indian food has been generating complex spice infused concoctions since the BC era. Much of Indian food is “hot” and most of it is “spicy”. But let’s get this straight here: we can have a "spicy" dish without being "hot". The most fundamental difference that I want to convey here today, is that for the food to be simply "hot", all it takes is a straight shot of chilli peppers, or spoonful of “hot” sauce. (Although there can be some good hot sauces that also generate good flavor.) To be "spicy" implies a level of complexity of flavor.

P (Post).S.: People who do not want to agree with me on my above note, can continue to do so at their risk. Risk?? Being called stupid (as far as above topic goes) by people who agree with me on my above note.

Ref: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spicy

Disclaimer:
When I say spicy food hurts your throat and inner part of digestive canal, I dint mean that spicy food is not good. Spices and spicy food are good. One should incorporate spicy food in their daily menu.
The same is with hot food. Chillies are well proven to be anti-carcinogens. Try to eat Green chillies as and when possible as compared to "red chilli powder".
Just see that you don't eat anything in excess: either spices or chillies. DON'T JUST AVOID IT BECAUSE YOU CANNOT HANDLE IT. TRY ONCE, TRUST ME, YOU CAN EAT SPICY AND/OR HOT FOOD. :)