Why does microwaving hot sauce cause you to cough like crazy?!


Question:

Why does microwaving hot sauce cause you to cough like crazy?

I was heating up some Tobasco sauce the other day, and everyone that was in the kitchen started coughing uncontrollably. I know what it probably has something to do with, but i was looking for more of a technical answer. Any chem majors in the house?


Answers:

capsaicin is the active "hot" ingredient in peppers and the source of the coughing. Microwaves work by exciting water (h2o) molecules causing heat and vaporization. The capsaicin is probably carried out of the food in this manor allowing you to inhale it and thus like breathing pepper spray. try sauteing hot peppers that will also cause you to cough and wheeze. Good luck.




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