Welcome to Caffeine and Capsaicin
The world's only foodsletter
Good day and hello! For those who know me, and I assume most of you do, I am Tom, or TH if you will, and this is my new food newsletter – foodsletter? – Caffeine and Capsaicin. I have written before on other topics, but I put that aside for various reasons. After a few years away from the game, however, I wanted to come back mainly because I miss writing about things. One can make positive changes in their lives and reprioritize activities, but I’ve always felt writing about things was ingrained in my soul. So I’m here.
I’m not really writing intentionally for a wide audience. If this blows up, great. If not, it’s an outlet where I can post about things I’ve cooked, places I’ve eaten, and why it is, in theory, a great idea for Sheetz to go on the counteroffensive and open up stores in the Philadelphia area. That post is coming soon. A place where I can write for people I know and trust and who like the things I write.
Judging by the name, I do like some of the more, ahem, extreme parts of the food spectrum. Although I’ve cut down a lot over the last few years, I still probably have a caffeine dependence that requires 24 ounces of black coffee in the morning and various zero-sugar sodas throughout the day. I’m also quite the aficionado of foods with the biological compound plants evolved to produce as a defense mechanism against being eaten. I’m not sure who got more owned in that scenario, the hot peppers who got eaten anyway or the humans who endured literal physical pain just to show they can eat anything they want that won’t kill them.
I won’t have a regular schedule. I’m not going to post about things other than food, but my goal with this newsletter is not only have an outlet for my thoughts about food but to keep myself accountable for things I eat (I am trying to get healthier). Also, a few other things that I think you should know:
1. MSG is not inherently unhealthy. Seriously, if you like parmesan cheese, you’re eating it anyway.
2. I am not afraid of seed oils, and I don’t think you should be either.
3. I don’t give a shit about artificial dyes.
4. Even though I love steak and eggs, for the love of Arceus, eat some goddamn vegetables with them.
5. Taco Bell is better than Chipotle. Fight me.
6. England is not a food wasteland, but I swear to Arceus1 that there is a certain kind of Englishman, usually one above a certain income threshold, that will make fun of American food using outdated cookbooks while inhaling beans on toast. If you’re one of those people, do not interact.
7. That being said, I love burgers, and I don’t care if that makes me a stereotype.
8. Finally, Salt Fat Acid Heat might as well be my holy scripture, although more in a Dan McClellan sense rather than a fundamentalist Christian one. If you know, you know.
Oh, and one more thing. This newsletter will be from now until the day I stop writing again 100 percent free of charge. All I ask is that you give me some feedback if you ever try anything I’ve made and described on here. Thank you for subscribing if you have, and if not, just hit that subscribe button and let me into your inbox whenever I have prescient thoughts about food.
Arceus is the god of the Pokemon universe. About the closest thing to religion I have these days.