Jaime Camil Reveals the Secret Reason Mexicans Love Spice

In Spanish

Few things shout "Mexico" more than spicy food. The vast array of chiles in Mexican territory is a fundamental part of the country's cuisine, making it one of its defining features. But why is this explosive flavor so captivating to the palates of its people?

Mexican actor and comedian Jaime Camil has taken on the important task of uncovering the allure behind this ingredient, present in most—if not all—Mexican dishes. Through his social media, he shared a preview clip of the latest episode of his series 'Desde la Raíz,' available on the Roku Channel.

In this episode, Jaime dives into traditional Mexican cooking to better understand his fellow Mexicans' fascination with this ingredient. The line he uses to open the video is more of a warning not to trust a Mexican when they say something isn't spicy.

"It's known worldwide that if a Mexican tells you something isn't spicy, it probably is," the actor warns.

Following this warning, Jaime explains that this is due to the sheer amount of spicy food Mexicans consume, making them accustomed to everything they eat having at least a hint of heat—from savory dishes to traditional sweets, often accompanied by chile.

"On average, a Mexican consumes 15 kilograms of chile per year. It's a fundamental ingredient in Mexican cuisine, present in up to 90% of dishes," Jaime explains.

The episode includes testimonies from people who work directly with this ingredient, who confirm that chile gives flavor to preparations like tacos, becoming the essential base of this dish.

But why is this intense flavor so beloved? Jaime explains that consuming chile releases endorphins, generating a feeling of pleasure, making it almost impossible to stop eating it, even when it's challenging.

"When we eat chile, it helps release endorphins. Endorphins are brain chemicals that make us feel pleasure, which is also why it's hard to stop consuming it," the comedian explains, emphasizing chile's effects on people.

He concludes that Mexicans may indeed have a mild addiction to chile, despite the burning and numbing of the mouth while eating it.

The clip also shows a portion of the series where the historical and traditional value of chile in Mexico is discussed, going back to the times when the region was known as Mesoamerica. What was once known as the Mesoamerican triad—corn, squash, and beans—is now considered the "Fantastic Four," with chile now included.

In 'Desde la Raíz,' hosted by Jaime, the series aims to explore the origins and importance of various ingredients in Mexican cuisine, as demonstrated in this first episode dedicated to this iconic ingredient, which plays a vital role not just in Mexican cooking but in the entire culture.