Backyard pleasures.

Over the Chinese New Year break, my wife and I flew to Sabah to spend time with her family. Every time I see my in-laws (mother in-law, especially); I put on a few pounds. It is almost as if from the very second I hug my mother in-law at the airport, my body has a reaction and decides to magically develop some body fat. Hmm… must be one of those unexplainable mysteries in life or maybe it is because they eat the tastiest-nastiest-greasiest-oiliest-coolest-most fattening-high in flavour-MSG-laden food ever. Yeeeeehawwww!!!!

Anyway, one of the days (in between all the face stuffing), I decided to venture into my father in-law’s backyard. He has green fingers and grows everything from papayas to 4 angle beans. As I moved some branches and cleared the path in his mini-jungle, something caught my eye… something red… it was an interesting looking chili! I removed one from the plant, returned to the house and asked my in-laws about the chili.

My father in-law had already harvested some and had them in a container in the kitchen. My father in-law pushed the container towards me. He was giggling and egging me on to eat one. It really felt like a fraternity dare game. I was about to pop one in my mouth when my mother in-law snapped her kitchen towel at me and told me to drop it. “Don’t be crazy!â€? she yelled. My father in-law was still egging me. We came to a compromise and I ate close to half a chili. KAPOOOW!!! BOOOM!!! YEAAAAAAAAAAA!!! HOTTTTTTTT!!!!

After some time, when my senses returned from hell, my father in-law sat with me and showed me a document. I had just eaten Bhut Jolokia a.k.a. Ghost Chili! Now, I am not too sure how much you guys know about chillies and peppers but here is a crash course. Heat is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The hottest Thai chili probably measures at around 150,000 to 200,000 SHU. It has been said that anything above 200,000 SHU can make a grown man cry. The Red Savina Habanero (previously thought to be the hottest) is measured at approximately 580,000 SHU. The Bhut Jolokia? Over 1 million SHU!! Whoa Nelly!

The ironic thing about the pain that chillies and peppers bring us is that we keep going back for more. The scientific explanation behind this irony is that eating chillies causes the brain to increase the production of endorphins which is used internally as a pain killer. As it is possible to get addicted to the “highâ€? caused by endorphins, it is then understood why humans often take chillies in large quantities or why some runners push themselves until they get the “runner’s highâ€?. Both are similar.

The discovery of the Bhut Jolokia was probably the highlight of my trip back to Sabah. Indeed a pleasurable pain to experience. I am definitely going back for more. I think the coolest part about this discovery is that it was right in our backyard!

As you all know, Integricity has moved. We are in a strategic position close to highways, gym facilities and food. Above all, we are now at the backyard of many developing commercial areas such as BU8, 10 Boulevard and Merchant Square. I dare you entrepreneurs, business owners and managers out there to venture out into your backyard. Come look for the scorching red Integricity. We will increase your vocabulary of sensations and promise that once you’ve had a taste… you’ll keep coming back for more.

So go on… take a bite.