Just something I wondered about the meaning of "spicy". (horseradish, bread)

[Stumbler.]

What does it mean to you?

I know many people use it to mean the heat sensation (as produced by chili peppers) while others don't like this usage, chide it as not fully "accurate" (preferring to call that "hot" instead), and prefer to stick to the definition of spicy = seasoned with spice in general, where the spices can be any kind, be it cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg etc. and not only chili pepper.

[missik999]

Highly flavored or strongly seasoned, not necessarily hot. Sometimes flavors are hot and spicy, but sometimes just spicy and not hot.

[Trimac20]

I agree, that is a more accurate definition of 'spicy.' Hot is just hot. Btw is chilli even considered a spice?

[Fontucky]

You mean chile, as in dried, powdered chile pepper? Yes.

[DubbleT]

bland
seasoned/spiced
spicy-because it just feels wrong to call a cold dish hot, and redundant to call a hot dish hot

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Stumbler.

What does it mean to you?

I know many people use it to mean the heat sensation (as produced by chili peppers) while others don't like this usage, chide it as not fully "accurate" (preferring to call that "hot" instead), and prefer to stick to the definition of spicy = seasoned with spice in general, where the spices can be any kind, be it cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg etc. and not only chili pepper.

I associate spicey with hot or peppery (which I love) When I think of something cooked with spices I think of them as just that, fixed with spices. I guess, actually either would be correct.

Nita

[SATX56]

You left out seasoned, which I would use to described simply spiced but not necessarily hot.

[missik999]

My pumpkin bread recipe, for example, is spicy but not hot. Cinnamon, cloves and ginger make a spicy bread but no heat sensation.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

I agree, that is a more accurate definition of 'spicy.' Hot is just hot. Btw is chilli even considered a spice?

It depends on how it has been preserved: it can be a spice, certainly.

[Stumbler.]

How about the hotness of things like mustard, horseradish or wasabi?

Those things are "hot and stimulating" but would you call them spicy?