As an Asian, KFC's hot and spicy's spicyness is virtually tasteless. Why is Westerners definition of spicy so low?
KFC's Hot and Spicy Is Neither Hot or Spicy
canberrascooter on 15/07/2020 - 11:05
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too sweet
How is Sriracha hot? It used to have a nice mild kick but that was close to 20 years ago when it was still a specialty item.
You may find Hot Star chicken to be more for your liking then
+1 for Hot Star
It is certainly hotter and spicier than Original Recipe.
If it's not hot or spicy enough for your taste, maybe don't buy it again.
In my experience it is the same temperature as Original Recipe… just saying.
If you go to my local that temperature would be 'lukewarm'
I won't be going to your local then
I think historically (10-20 years ago), KFC received a lot of complaints that the hot and spicy was 'too hot and spicy'.
So they decided to make it 'disappointing' instead.
KFC don't want to get sued by someone who gets the Ring of Fire.
There's just lower tolerance for chili here.
That's racis
Racism only applies to minorities.
There’s over a billion Chinese people in the world, they certainly are not a minority.
racis
cis? CIS!!!
*TRIGGERING INTENSIFIES*
It is from Kentucky. You have to admit, eating chilli is a bit of a weird thing. I always thought countries that use a lot of chilli have low quality meat and they’re trying to hide it. Chilli just isn’t really a thing in Europe and that’s where caucasian culture has it’s roots.
Not sure if there's a single 'caucasian culture'. Caucasian refers to race, and even the concept of race is very complex. There are caucasian people with lots of different cultural backgrounds and taste preferences. My caucasian tastes buds that were raised with foods form lots of cultures, love chilli. Granted there isn't a lot of chilli in most european food (with perhaps Italy as an exception, that uses some).
I don't know about chilli being used to mask low quality meat, but I guess it could be one thing along side fat, salt, sugar, etc. e.g. meat pies.
As I said, Caucasian culture has its roots in Europe. Now, different people have expanded and created different cultures, American, etc. However, the roots of this go back to Europe and it is a racial culture. Name one majority white country where chilli has long been popular. If there is a trend across a racial group, it is a racial culture. This is changing in a globalised world as cultures become less different. However, there always are exceptions to a culture.
I’m not sure what you’re including in your definitions of ‘white’ ‘european’ and ‘caucasian’ and how far back in history you’re referring to but the Portuguese are credited with spreading the popularity of chilli across most of the world except for Central America where it originated https://www.legalnomads.com/history-chili-peppers/
Perhaps you meant Northern European?I personally feel trying to define race and culture in such broad terms is not only difficult but potentially dangerous and way too complex for an ozbargain post about KFC. So I’ll just keep just keep enjoying my chilli as a white person with my dodgy meat.
How about Spain?
to a certain degree, Holland due to their colonisation of Indonesia?
My mouth doesn't think it is spicy but my guts do.
Someone please tell me where i can get this in Melbourne :(
apparently you can got non Hot and Spicy Chicken from KFC as of yesterday until promo ends.
Apparently it's also not very hot and spicy.
Not in all states. QLD has it, I don't think NSW does.
Because they can't handle hot food it seems. So they buy something called "Hot & Spicy" then complain it's "Hot & Spicy" then force the manufacturer to make it bland.
It's a damn shame what's happened to Hot & Spicy over the years. The 90s were the glory days for Hot & Spicy chicken.
One out of three aint bad. (Apologies to Meatloaf)
had it yesterday it wasn't hot at all, just tasted like bigger wicked wings. Korean chicken is better just slightly more expensive but worth it
Yuck. Korean Chicken is just too soggy and lacks spice.
Their chilli is also not that enjoyable because it's processed.I would recommend going to a high rated korean restaurant and give it another go. I'd recommend some in Melb but looks like you're in Sydney.
Can you give some recommendations for Melb? Will anticipate trying them after this covid nightmare
Not sure where you get your korean chicken but there is no way it would be soggier than the regular KFC original.
regular KFC original.
Gross.
I make the Taco Bell hot quesadilla sauce. Might also suit the Anglo-MSG patties?
1 cup whole egg mayo (less vinegar tasting)
2 Tblsp finely chopped jalapenos (jar)
4 Tblsp jalapeno pickling juice (from jar)1.5 tsp ground cumin
1.5 tsp smoked paprika
.5 tsp garlic powder
.5 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp sugar
pinch of saltThoroughly mix, seal airtight and rest in fridge 2 hours before use.
Awesome-sauce!Jalapeons are as hot as a wet sock and don't even have much flavour. I'd probably change it out for habaneros.
I'm following a Todd Wilbur recipe, but sure you can customise it.
https://topsecretrecipes.com/taco-bell-chicken-quesadilla-co…If we want it hotter we use more cayenne.
It is better to be on the milder side so it can be consumed by people less tolerant to spiciness.
Those who need it to be more spicy can always eat it with chilli sauce up to their taste.Those people should stick to eating OR IMO.
H&S can easily be kicked up a few notches and still tolerable IMO. KFC is just playing it way too safe and catering for the many but disappointing the die hard H&S fans.
KFC don't care about the die hard fans and why should they. What the point in selling a product that doesn't make as much money as one that does.
What do you expect from a chain restaurant. They have to make food for the lowest common denominator. Most Asian countries are used to food being overspiced (great for hiding flavourless items). Personally I also like things spicier, I do like Hot and Spicy for the crunchy texture, would not actually call it hot or spicy though.
They may have changed the recipe compared to how it was when it first came out but I do remember it used to be spicier (not necessarily hot) when it was a limited thing and then they started doing it all the time and it was pretty uninspiring stuff.
I think as a lot of other people have said, lots of complaints about it being too hot and the recipe changed.
Yeah this H&S isn't as great as before. Batter used to be alot thicker back then too
You've just grown bigger
It has always been double breaded, that hasn't changed.
It's definitely not spicy but I prefer the crunchy texture of the H&S
This. And it seems to be a lot less greasy feeling.
Got to admit, I've always avoided Hot and Spicy as I didn't think I'd like it. The idea of chicken spices burning my mouth has never been tempting, am thirsty enough from all the salt.
Got a piece in a box deal we got the other day and so tried it - and couldn't believe how mild it was. Finally understood why people like it. It has a nice taste, but I wouldn't describe it as 'hot' at all.
As an Asian, I don't mind their hot n spicy isn't too spicy so I can eat it for the crunchier batter. Allowing for the usual hit n miss variation it is spicier than original.
Find a good Korean Fried Chicken place if you want "asian levels" if spiciness.
"asian levels" if spiciness.
I don't enjoy Asian spices. I like the American flavours in KFC and southern fried chicken.
I agree, I've never been fond of the Korean or Chinese spice flavours. Although I thoroughly love the Japanese spice flavours.
Spicy isn't in the palette of most Japanese food?
virtually tasteless
maybe you should get tested for the Wuhan virus…………
Chinese Virus according to PResident of the USA
You mean Donald Dumb.?
It depends on what you're used to. I tried some spicy red noodle soup in South Korea and the dish was so spicy I had serious trouble eating it. Likewise 'mild' South Korean instant ramen tends to be the same as hot here. Hot ramen is basically nuclear on my taste buds, and I like spicy food.
KFC has gone the safe route. Made something so bland that everyone can eat it without complaining it's inedible. It's KFC. It's not meant to be a taste sensation.
Try the zinger stacker burger. They have a bit more spicy sauce + supercharged sauce. Albeit its not as spicy as you may want, its definitely more so than the wicked wings.
We caucasians care for our poor buttholes that tend to suffer after eating spicy/chilli. Though that could be due to some intolerance?
If you don't eat spicy food all the time your body doesn't really no what to do with it when it gets it. So it just passes it through like hot lava.
Feel that burn. Invigorating!
The spicy taste is a histamine reaction, like an allergy.
Some people will react more strongly to it.
The thing that is funny to me is the reason chilli tastes spicy is because we have capsaicin receptors in our mouth.
Why do we have capsaicin receptors in our buttholes??
Years ago when it first came out it was spicy. Nowadays its just another texture of batter.
I love spicy food. But obviously most Aussies dont.
I remember being in Malaysia and my friends ordered a spicy chicken burger at McDonalds and they couldnt eat it because it was too spicy for them. I finished it off for them and it was great!
At last, an issue everyone can get their teeth into.
does anyone remember the year they did tobasco hot and spicy? that actually had some kick to it but agree not spicy enough now. If there's no H&S i go wicked wings but they have to be freshly fried to be any good. KFC artarmon H&S was OK - i think it's run by an indian guy so i'm sure he appreciates a kick ;)
Many factors here.
What people consider as spicy is personal preference and how much spicy food they eat. The more you eat, the more you can tolerate it and enjoy it.
Not all Asians eat spicy food. Eg. Japan has significantly less spicy food than Thailand.
I'm Western, but have had significant exposure to Asian people and cuisine and I personally love strong tasting and very spicy food. I almost exclusively eat spicy Asian food with chili, but also love spicy Indian food too.
I haven't tasted the kfc hot and spicy chicken, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't think it was hot and spicy.
Kfc have to target the majority and the majority want more spicy than normal chicken, but not burning spicy.
Here is the real reason.
Some may think it's racist, but, it's not. It just is what it is.
People and cultures who lived/evolved in hot climates had a bigger problem with meat spoilage.
Chilli, curry, etc was used to kill bacteria (and mask the flavour).
Hot climate = spicy food.
Now you know. Westerners definition of spicy is so low because they didn't eat it.
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/1998/03/food-bacteria-spice…
Also related is why my Asian and Indian friends freak out when they see me eat a mushroom raw, and why my ex from a very cold climate couldn't even eat sweet chilli sauce because that was too spicy. Being close to Asian Aussies are a mix. It all just comes down to what you are used to from an evolutionary perspective.
Be mindful of death
Speaking of mushrooms, does the black tiny matters that sometimes stick to the skin also safe to be eaten?
I assume you are talking about the dirt? You need to wash this off first. Sometimes you can also peel the skin, but I eat them all the time raw (peeled and unpeeled) and am fine.
Yes, the most poisonous things known to man are fungi, but I have grown up trusting our food standards and farming. Perhaps it's different in other places at markets and so on, where they are picked from nature (not a farm?), just a guess?
No, it's more because there are mushrooms (e.g. Enoki) that should really only be eaten cooked….or you get this
@Carmen Sandiego: Wow, crazy.
For the record I only eat locally grown Australia button mushrooms raw. I try to eat Australian produce as much as possible. Same goes with Hepatitis-A in the raspberries etc.
Thanks for the information.
@MementoMori: Oh same here. I would be completely veggo if I didn't love meat so much :p Mushrooms are a love and a joy for me :)
All good! Happy to help :)
this could be off-topic: but why do people in cold climates drink more alcohol, which is kind of spicy? e.g. vodka is originally from northern Europe and Russia and people love them.
Probably more to do with what grows locally.
Starchy foods are the few crops that grow in cold climates. They ferment into more pure spirits like vodka popular in central europe and russia.
In the warmer climates grapes and grains are used.
I think it's a coping mechanism for darker depressing weather in those areas (SAD).
e.g. parts of Finland, Russia, Scotland and Iceland where it's very dark for most of the day they have some problems with alcohol.
So South Korea is an anomaly then?
Cold climate but some of the spiciest foods.
It's not a perfect, exact correlation, but it's the best.
Very hot in Seoul right now… for example, this week is max 27-32, low 21-22. That low is very high, as in 4am in the morning it's still more than 20 degrees.
In Europe, the low in the middle of summer (July) varies by region but seems to be around 13-16 - https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/Europe/Cities/tempera….
Yes, in Korea, Japan and China it snows in Winter, but very hot min temps in summer = spoilage.
Seoul can get up to 35 in Summer. More so in the eastern states (God, that was painful) Plus, the closer to the sea, the more humid it is. Ouchie. Double ouchie when you realise that getting snowed in winter is a thing and temps can hit -20 :(
Jeju Island, which is closer geographically to Japan (it's a real territory issue b/w Korea and Japan. Look it up if you're bored), is quite hot and it snows a little rarely than the mainland. That's where most of Korea's domestic mandarins and tropical fruit come from.
Korea has spicy foods mostly due to the pickling thing that happened since BC times with the royals. It's better to keep food as pickled food and even better when it's mixed with chilli. Even with the advent of fridges, the humble kimchi (of which there are at least about 50 varieties) will still have chilli because it mixes well with fish sauce and salt.
Now, if you were talking about North Korea…entirely different story and very different geography.
On their regular chicken all I taste is Salt. I don't know what the other 10 Herbs and spice are.
At least Hot and Spicy has some flavour. They need something like Ultra Hot or something for the rest of us who like spicy chicken. I asked the KFC manager why its not really spicy she said it is for the first 2 days then the complaints start coming in and they dial it down.
In Asia it's called Hot and Crispy from memory. Its actually hot and super crunchy on the outside and not soggy like Australia.
It'd be less convenient for the staff, but they could try implementing something like Nandos with a 5 point scale on the level of chili that the customer can choose from then they order
I don't know what the other 10 Herbs and spice are
Of course not. It's a secret.
I'm going to stick to Korean Fried Chicken.
It's a pass for me. I'm not to fond of thigh fillets and that's mostly what I have gotten at Korean places.
Agreed and I am Korean :P That plus the price… :/
Also, I've not had food poisoning at KFC but, I sure have at some Korean Fried Chicken places…
I’ve had food poisoning from Kentucky FC but have never gotten one from Korean FC, so..
That's fair. I'm not a breast person so gimme all the thigh fillets!
Honestly I cant tell the difference between that and normal stuff, I actually have to look, can only tell by texture.
Every time I honestly think they mess up my order, nope just crinkle trash chicken.
It is very small.
Agreed with this post. Coming from Sri Lanka we think we know what 'hot and spicy' should really mean. KFC hot and spicy are neither hot nor spicy but still heaps better than non-crunchy original chicken.
aa
In my experience, white people have very sensitive tongues. They can taste the difference in bottled water! I used to work with these girl who could tell between all the popular water brands and even the international brands
Lol.
Lol hmmm sensitive tongues..
Yes, people who have functioning taste buds can tell the difference between different types of water depending on the mineral content. That has nothing to do with spice tolerance, and enjoying spicy foods doesn't somehow make your taste buds stop functioning.
Just amazed that anyone would expect KFC to be edible, let alone getting fussy about the taste.
It's an American chain, not an Asian chain. I suppose there is a difference in what constitutes 'spicy'. KFC talk about using many spices, not necessarily hot ones. I always assumed the 'Hot' part to mean freshly cooked. I find it hard to find good spicy food also. My local Korean chicken place, that is similar to KFC, their spiciest option is talked up as hot , but it's ultra sweet. So I guess it's just the luck of the draw. I think, best case, cook at home… can't go wrong there!.
I found Sriracha Tobasco sauce at woolies, it's actually nice..