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I may be wrong but I am curious to know whether there is any correlation between spicy cuisine and a hot climate? There are some counter-examples ( e.g., certain northern Chinese cuisines are spicier than Cantonese) but typically spicier cuisines are associated with tropical countries.

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There's a correlation for sure, chilies also only grow in relatively warm weather, but the fact they spread so far in the first place is testamount to their appeal.

They're so popular in so many countries that people forget they originated only in the new world...

One explanation I’ve heard proposed is that the sweating induced by spicy foods helps you cool down faster in hot climates than just your body trying to maintain homeostasis.

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