chilli

Pod, or powder made from the pod, of a variety of capsicum (Capsicum frutescens), a small, hot, red pepper. It is widely used in cooking. The hot ingredient of chilli is capsaicin. It causes a burning sensation in the mouth by triggering nerve branches in the eyes, nose, tongue, and mouth.

Capsaicin does not activate the taste buds and therefore has no flavour. It is claimed that people can become physically addicted to it.