Hi C-H's, Thank you George for your insightful thoughts on freezing damage. I am sure that there is a lot of truth in what you say. One now wonders how robust are the capsaicins in such freeze thaw situations? Are there any real benefits to not heating the mash? >Where can he go from here? Xanthan gum was suggested; a little of this >goes a long way, and has the advantage of not requiring heat to form it. I will try it. Where would I obtain some? At one of those "natural" food stores maybe? -- --- Regards, Cameron.