What Goes Well with Spicy Food?

Yogurt or ayran is a popular accompaniment for spicy food and may help soothe the lingering burn. The fat in yogurt can dissolve capsaicin, the compound in chili peppers, more effectively than water. Drinking water may spread the sensation rather than reduce it. Serve a bowl of yogurt with about 2 spoonfuls of strained yogurt alongside a spicy dish to noticeably lessen the effect. Bread can also help slow the spread of heat in the mouth. As the chili heat increases, increase the amount of yogurt: 1 spoonful may be enough for a mildly spicy dish, while a very spicy dish may call for twice that amount. A sweet meze may also help.

Why Does Water Not Help?

Capsaicin dissolves in fat rather than water, so drinking water may spread the burning sensation in the mouth instead of reducing it. Drinks containing fat, such as yogurt or milk, can dissolve capsaicin and soothe the sensation.

How to Serve Yogurt and Ayran

Serve a bowl of yogurt with 2 spoonfuls of strained yogurt alongside a chili-spiced dish to noticeably reduce the heat. Ayran is traditionally served with kebabs and dishes featuring roasted peppers.

What Do Bread and Sweet Foods Add?

Bread can help slow the spread of heat in the mouth; eating bite-size pieces may absorb some of the effect. A sweet drink or an addition such as honey may further soften the sensation on the tongue.

How to Adjust the Amount to the Heat

Use 1 spoonful of yogurt for a mildly spicy dish and twice that amount for a very spicy one. A little cucumber served with yogurt may also feel refreshing and help balance the heat.

Similar Accompaniments in Other Cuisines

In Indian cuisine, a yogurt-based sauce called raita is served with spicy dishes. In Mexican cuisine, sour cream plays a similar role. In Turkish cuisine, cacık, a cucumber-yogurt dip, is served in the same spirit as a refreshing accompaniment to spicy kebabs.

What to Drink After Spicy Sauce

Cold ayran is described as a quick way to find relief after spicy food. Avoid carbonated drinks because they can cause bloating. Although it may seem counterintuitive, sipping hot tea may gradually reduce the sensation. A milk-based dessert such as rice pudding can provide a sweet finish after a spicy main dish and soothe the heat in the mouth.

How to Reduce the Heat in a Dish

Adding 1 spoonful of sugar or honey while cooking may soften the heat somewhat, especially in spicy sauces. Removing the seeds and inner membranes from chili peppers can produce a similar flavor with less heat. A sour ingredient, such as a little lemon juice, may also reduce perceived heat in some dishes, though the effect may be milder than that of sweetness or yogurt.