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Get ready to heat things up on January 17 for National Hot Heads Chili Day! This deliciously spicy holiday celebrates the beloved dish of chili, which has been a favorite among food lovers for centuries. Did you know that chili originated in Mexico and was brought to the United States by Spanish settlers? Since then, it has become a staple in many cuisines around the world and has even sparked friendly competitions for the best chili recipe. So grab your spoon and get ready to savor some hot and tasty chili on this special day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1492</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Discovery of Chili</div><div class='timeline-text'>Christopher Columbus discovers chili peppers in the Caribbean, leading to their spread and eventual worldwide popularity.</div></div></div>
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origin of Chili Con Carne</div><div class='timeline-text'>The dish known today as "chili con carne" originated in Mexico and Texas, helping to popularize spicy flavors.</div></div></div>
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1952</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Chili Cook-Off</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first chili cook-off took place in Terlingua, Texas, formalizing chili as a widely recognized dish and competition.</div></div></div>
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1967</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Chili Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Chili was officially recognized as the state dish of Texas, solidifying its importance in American food culture.</div></div></div>
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1993</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Celebrating National Chili Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>National Chili Day was first celebrated, sparking annual nationwide celebrations and chili cook-offs.</div></div></div>
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2022</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Hot Heads Chili Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first National Hot Heads Chili Day is celebrated on January 17, adding a spicy twist to the traditional holiday.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a chili cook-off</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family for a chili cook-off competition. Have everyone bring their best chili recipe and let the tasting begin! You can even have prizes for different categories like spiciest, most unique, and overall winner.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Try different types of chili</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Expand your chili palate by trying different types of chili, such as white chicken chili or vegetarian chili. Make a day out of it by going to different restaurants or making it a road trip to try out different regional variations of chili.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make your own hot sauce</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative and make your own hot sauce to top off your chili dishes. Experiment with different peppers, spices, and flavors to create a unique and personalized hot sauce. You can even bottle it up and give it as gifts to friends and family.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Have a chili-themed movie night</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends and have a chili-themed movie night. Pick out some of your favorite movies that feature chili, like "The Three Amigos" or "Talladega Nights," and enjoy them with a big bowl of chili.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a chili festival</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check out if there are any chili festivals happening in your area and attend one to celebrate National Hot Heads Chili Day. You can sample different types of chili, attend cooking demonstrations, and even participate in chili-eating contests.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a warm and comforting dish</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Chili is the perfect dish to warm you up on a cold winter day. It's hearty, filling, and packed with flavor - making it the ultimate comfort food. Whether you like it spicy or mild, there's a chili recipe out there for everyone to enjoy!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>There are endless variations</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>From white bean chicken chili to vegetarian black bean chili, there's no shortage of creative and delicious ways to make this classic dish. On National Hot Heads Chili Day, take the opportunity to experiment with different ingredients and spices to create your own unique version of chili!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings people together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Whether you're cooking up a batch for game day or having a chili cook-off with friends and family, chili has a way of bringing people together over a shared love of good food. So grab a bowl, some friends, and celebrate National Hot Heads Chili Day with a tasty and communal meal!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hot Sauce Doesn't Just Taste Hot, It Feels Hot</h3><p class='facts-content'>Capsaicin, the chemical compound that gives chili peppers their heat and is often a key ingredient in hot sauce, tricks your brain into experiencing a sensation of being burned. The reaction to capsaicin is not merely taste or smell, but a physical sensation.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Heat Of Hot Sauce Is Measured In Scoville Heat Units</h3><p class='facts-content'>Developed by American pharmacist Wilbur Scoville in 1912, the Scoville scale is still used today to measure the heat of chili peppers and hot sauces.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hot Sauce Might Give You An Endorphin Rush</h3><p class='facts-content'>When you consume hot sauce, it can cause your body to produce endorphins to counteract the pain sensation. This leads to a lift in mood for many people, similar to a "runner's high."</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hot Sauces Can Vary Greatly In Heat Levels</h3><p class='facts-content'>From the mild jalapeño to the extremely hot Carolina Reaper, different peppers used in hot sauces can create a wide range of heat levels, catering to different tolerance levels.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hot Sauce Consumption May Have Health Benefits</h3><p class='facts-content'>Some research suggests that capsaicin in hot sauce may promote weight loss, improve heart health, and offer anti-inflammatory effects among other benefits.</p></div></div>
National Hot Heads Chili Day is celebrated on January 17 every year. In 2024 National Hot Heads Chili Day will occur on a Wednesday.
2023
Jan 17
Tuesday
2024
Jan 17
Wednesday
2025
Jan 17
Friday
2026
Jan 17
Saturday
2027
Jan 17
Sunday
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