- 1). Dilute the meal with additional liquid. A soup, stew, or similar main dish with a liquid consistency can be "watered down" to dilute the spice by adding stock, beer, or plain water.
- 2). Add a dairy product. Milk-based products mellow hot or spicy flavors, so add a a large dollop of sour cream to chili, or cream (or coconut milk) to curries.
- 3). Serve with mild sides. A spicy chicken dish can be mellowed by eating it in the same bite with mashed potatoes or rice.
- 4). Introduce new flavors. Honey or sugar can temper a spicy Asian dish and turn it into a spicy-sweet combination, and lime juice adds a freshness to spicy Latin cuisine that cuts through some of the heat.
- 5). Add textures. Crackers, croutons, and other foods with a crunchy or rough texture distract your tongue from the pain of the pepper burn.