I recently discovered a terribly odd effect. You see, your mouth has seperate receptors for "Hot" and "Cold" temperatures. Capsaicin and similar chemicals can trigger the "hot" sensors, while others, notably menthol, trigger the "cold" sensors. However, menthol does not deactivate the opposing sensors, and nor does capsaicin repress feelings of cold. The obvious question arises- what happens when both are active at once? What sensation is percieved when the inside of your mouth is registered both as burning hot and ice cold?
After conducting an experiment involving peppermint candies and hot sauce, I can reveal the answer to you: The taste is
a) Pretty much indescribable. The effect can be roughly akin to finding the flavor equivalent of octarine, or perhaps what happens when the measured temperature is a complex number.
and
b) Extremely tingly. Quite enjoyable, actually. In concentrated forms, however, the result is best described as INTENSE PAIN. Analysis of the market for extra-spicy foods indicates this is also enjoyable to a large subset of the population, so no problem there for those who prefer a more hardcore "flavor trip."
I propose a form of ice pop or popsicle which is both very, very strongly mint flavored and contains a generous helping of spicy substances; chili extracts and cayenne pepper seem to provide good results. The long-lasting cold of the ice and the effects of the mint flavor will provide the "cold" stimulus, and help to counter the long-lasting burn of the spicy ingredients. Sugar may also be added to improve the flavor.
Sucking on this ought to provide an extremely startling and very unusual, but quite pleasurable sensation. Also available in chewing gum form. The whole thing, of course, is packaged in a bright red and blue package.-- Hive_Mind, May 26 2012 Prior art Wasabi_20pops [2 fries shy of a happy meal, May 26 2012] Warheads http://en.wikipedia...ki/Warheads_(candy)Malic acid and chilli oil. [UnaBubba, May 29 2012] Intriguing. This is an experiment I must try.-- MaxwellBuchanan, May 26 2012 Reminds me of 'Fire & Ice', the cinnamon/peppermint flavored schnapps, only this would be the real thing and not some übersweet sorority-girl attractant.
Still, I'm not dashing out to the kitchen to try it.-- Alterother, May 26 2012 Is this why mint tea tastes so good?-- DIYMatt, May 26 2012 so, icy hot, tiger balm, and a thousand other products based on this phenomenon were not adequate?-- WcW, May 26 2012 Why would anyone lick tiger balm?-- Phrontistery, May 26 2012 IcyHot is not, repeat NOT intended for oral use. True story:
Husband returns home from hard day of manual labor and rubs IcyHot into sore muscles on shoulders and neck. Shortly thereafter Wife, feeling frisky, approaches Husband from behind and without warning or preamble commences to playfully nibble and bite area of application. Hilarity ensues.-- Alterother, May 26 2012 As far as any of the keen young ladies in the Recursive Research Division of the Heathen Institute of Inadvisably Applied Science & Public Nudity Legislative Action can determine, the most common additive used to preserve rum was more rum.-- Alterother, May 26 2012 Isn't this what "Warheads" candies were about?-- UnaBubba, May 29 2012 No, those were sour.-- DIYMatt, May 29 2012 There were two hot flavours... Chilli Cherry and Chilli Grape. They had chilli oil on them and were extremely hot for about a minute.
The thing is, sugar quickly brings chilli burn under control, so the effect was less intense than it might have been.-- UnaBubba, May 29 2012 random, halfbakery