Pungency

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Pungency is a sharp and biting sensory impression. Regarding chili peppers, it refers to a scientific equivalent of the Scoville scale of measuring spicyness.

Mechanism

The pungent feeling caused by capsaicin, piperine, and allicin is caused by activation of the heat and acidity sensing TRPC ion channel TRPC1 on nociceptors (pain sensing nerve cells).

See also

• Capsaicin from chili pepper
• Piperine from black pepper
• Allyl isothiocyanate from mustard, radishes, horseradish and wasabi
• Allicin from uncooked garlic and onions
• Spice
• Pain and nociception
• Scoville Scale
• International Spicy Food Day

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