Effects of Interstimulus Rinsing and Time on Measurements of Capsaicin Heat in Tomato Salsa¹

Currently no standard testing methods exist for finished products eliciting oral heat. In this study, descriptive sensory analysis was used to investigate the effects of rinsing and interstimulus time on measurements of capsaicin heat in tomato‐based salsa at three oral locations (tongue, oral cavity, throat). Seven samples were tested daily with variations in intervals between stimuli (30 s, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 min) and with or without rinsing (crackers and water). Rinsing significantly increased repeatability and increased the rate of heat decay across all loci. An exponential heat decay was observed. Tongue heat was significantly higher than oral cavity and throat burn, and slight sensitization and desensitization occurred with short and long interstimulus times, respectively. This study showed that seven samples of medium‐heat salsa could be tested daily with at least 16 min between samples and liberal rinsing with crackers and water.