chillis - do you wear gloves when chopping?

[janeyo]

I never have but tonight the tips of my thumbs are stinging. (God job the contact lenses are already out!) I always think if I wear gloves they will taint the taste of the cooking.

janeyo

[Comfreyfan]

I do now - I rubbed my eyes hourse after chopping chilli - horrendous! Always wear gloves now and I've never been able to taste them!

[Alice]

I'm not a fan of gloves but when chopping chillies I always wear gloves of the surgeon type. They can be re-used. Comes from the experience of eyes and nose on fire even after several hand washings.

[lettucegrow!]

I will definitely wear gloves next time I chop chillies!! Last night I did the second stage of my apple chili jelly and used home grown from donated seeds chillies that I was told were hot--and they were!!! My hands were throbbing all night,I couldn't wash it off. When I use them in cooking I usually just hold them by the stalk and use scissors to cut them really finely but I thought I'd be fine,lots of soap etc.but it doesn't wash off!!It's lethal stuff,be careful where your hands go!!!

[kilnburner10]

I too am a wearer of surgical gloves for Chilli cutting after spending an hour with my eye under the hosepipe

[BarleySugar]

I use the surgical gloves now, no problem with taste contamination. The previous time I did my chilli jam I didn't! 2 days of feeling as if my hands had been dipped in boiling water, especially around the quick and under the nails. Did manage not to rub my eyes etc, but it wrecked my whole weekend. Go for the gloves!

[Two_Sheds]

You could hold the chilli down with a fork while you cut it with a knife. Or chop it with scissors.

I never take my own advice, btw, and end up with chilli-burn in my eyes, my nose (!) and worse (!!!)

[Two_Sheds]

Just a thought: as chilli is oil-soluble, not water-soluble (that's why milk cools it down but water makes it hotter in your mouth) ... perhaps we need to wash our hands with something oily, and not soap and water?

Any suggestions? Anyone want to do an experiment for the good of us all?

[HayleyB]

I think it's because the milk is alkaline. Yoghurt or sour cream makes chillis and curries cooler which is why I dollop some yoghurt on DDs, I believe indians drink a type of yoghurt drink when eating very hot curries. If you get chilli burn you should use milk to ease the pain and clear the cause.

[HeyWayne]

I believe indians drink a type of yoghurt drink when eating very hot curries.

Lassi (no, not the dog, because that would be weird!)

I'm just tucking into some Chilli Almonds (almonds coated in chocolate with chilli in it). Yummeh!

[SlugLobber]

Apple chilli jelly. Hmmmmm, sounds NICE!!!! Still have a huge excess of apples, so might have to try that!

I don't wear gloves and never have. I spend most of my working day in them, so am glad to be free of them when I get home! Only once had chilli eyes; I normally have the washing up bowl ready and just wash my hands thoroughly in soapy water.

[lynda66]

funnily, i never have that problem with chillis ..... i just open the tub, stick in a spoon and errr sprinkle

[Irie Jan]

I have seen on the TV, think was either Saturday kitchen or Something For The Weekend, to get rid of garlic smell from your fingers to rub them on a stainless steel surface! I wonder if it would work with chilli? Just a thought

I use hot chilli quite often, have never bothered with gloves but yes you defiantly have to be careful for a good while after handling them! I often use some fresh lemon or lime juice to wash my hands with as well as soap and water I think the citrus helps a little!

[Alison]

If they're hot ones then I use scissors, that way you don't get the juice anywhere near your skin and therefore no probs.

[Hans Mum]

i get OH to chop em