What’s That Burning Sensation?

Many traditional ideas and beliefs have disappeared as well. One dealt with the categories of “hot” and “cold” foods, much like the beliefs of Ayurveda in India. These categories refer to the effect food has on the body, not to the temperature of the food itself.

If you ask an Azerbaijani in the North about the concept of “hot and cold”, you’ll probably just get a blank expression. But Azerbaijanis in Iran still believe in these classifications and are careful to follow guidelines such as: don’t mix hot with hot, or cold with cold. Hot foods are said to raise the blood pressure, cold foods, to lower it. Foods categorized as “cold” include cucumber, eggplant, cabbage, tomatoes, lettuce, yogurt, fish and rice. Foods in the “hot” category include garlic, walnuts, grapes, apples, honey, eggs, bread and red meat. (Khanlou)

Pulling again from this food article, this isn’t the first time I’ve encountered the concept.  The big deal going on around here is that you CANNOT eat melon and honey at the same time.  You are asking for trouble, you will die.  No joking.  They are both hot foods.  My friends in Thailand had similar sentiments regarding “hot” and “cold” foods.  And I remember specifically that alcohol is included in the “hot foods” category.