Some like it hot. Tips for eating spicy food, pushing your palate at Fiery Foods Festival

They won’t ask you “mild, medium or hot?” at the Fiery Foods Festival in Pasco this weekend — the answer is always hot.

The festival is an “ultimate celebration of all things fiery and flavorful,” according to the Pasco Recreation Department. Featuring local vendors and creations, plus live entertainment, September 9 will be full of fun at Pasco’s Peanuts Park.

Pasco’s Fiery Foods Festival

Stop by 109 S. 4th Ave. between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 9 to take part in the festivities. If you get lost, you could likely smell your way there.

Both Columbia Street and 4th Ave. will be closed during the festival for entertainment and vendor space. Local vendors will be selling goods throughout, and entertainment is scheduled for most of the day.

Entertainment lineup

• 9-9:30: Mariachi Halcon del Rio
• 9:30-11: Isarely Flores
• 11-11:15: Salsa Dancing with DJ Crazy C
• 11:15-12:15: Curtis Nettles
• 12:15-1: Pepper Eating Contest
• 1-3: Paso Firme

The pepper-eating contest consists of local celebrities, all trying to eat as many chili peppers as they can manage. Anyone can enter to compete alongside the Tri-Cities VIPs. The winner gets bragging rights and a gallon of milk.

Tips for eating spicy food

Even if you don’t have a natural fondness for fiery foods, you might still have a shot at beating out one of the local celebrities. There are ways to naturally increase your ability to handle spicy foods. Generally, spice limits can be raised over time.

Or if you don’t plan to compete, but want to try as much food as possible without going too far, you still may be able to surprise yourself. But with the festival so soon, how can one push their limits without causing some serious hurt?

There are several expert tips for spicy food consumption, especially when it comes to a marathon of flavors.

Work your way up

Start with spice levels you’re comfortable with, then gradually try spicier foods. Take this incrementally, you’ll have a better shot at lasting longer. Practice eating spicy foods and adding spice to other dishes so you are the most comfortable.

Cooling products

You should definitely have cooling products, especially if you’re planning to eat a lot. You won’t be able to use this while competing in the pepper contest, but you can during the rest of the festival. So bring dairy products when you head over, as they are one of the best reliefs after a seriously spicy meal, according to experts.

It can also help to carry acidic foods like citrus fruits, which can balance out spice. In the event you need to cut the spice from a meal, a squeeze of lemon can make a big difference.

Know your limit

Even at a food festival for fiery foods, it’s important to know your spice limit. Once your body starts exhibiting “cool-down symptoms,” take a break. These symptoms match how your body acts to excessive heat, as your body is telling you it needs to cool down.

Cool-down symptoms include:

• Runny nose
• Excessive sweating
• Hiccupping

You can do real damage to your body by overdoing it, so take it slowly. By going too hot too fast, your body might react to the spicy food like it’s a toxin, causing painful diarrhea and violent vomiting. You can even burn your throat and esophagus this way, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

This story was originally published September 8, 2023 at 11:37 AM.