[CH] The Way of the Hunan Hand
Tony O'Brien (AOB@als.co.uk)
Wed, 3 Nov 1999 18:17:10 -0000
Hi all,
Having spent the summer experimenting with as many chile varieties
as I could find space for (40+ in the end), I've inevitably reached the
point where supply is far outstripping demand. In particular I've had bumper
crops of Aji Yellows, Hot Lemons (lemon drops ?), Super Chiles, Bolivian
Rainbows, and a bunch of golden/orange/red Hab varieties to boot. So, with
several hundred ripe chiles hanging off the various plants I resolved to go
for a major picking, chopping & freezing extravaganza the weekend before
last. Still being relatively new to this game, I'd read various postings
regarding the fabled 'Hunan Hand' but of course ignorance is (or was) bliss
and I assumed I must be immune since I'd chopped as many as 10 (!)
supermarket chillies on previous occasions without any problems.........So,
~200 chillies later I got this kind of itching sensation across my knuckles,
perhaps I'd cut myself slightly ? no, couldn't see anything.....the itching
then became an itching/burning sensation on the knuckles, plus now also in
the gaps between my fingers. By this point I'd realised the big mistake I'd
made, as the burning spread across the backs of both hands. Water......no
help, ice cubes......no help, leaving hands under the cold water tap until
numb......relief for about 30 seconds. To cut a long story short it was
agony all night, and just to 'cap' (sorry) it all off, the next day the
backs of my hands eased somewhat but the palms by that point had taken over,
so I couldn't even hold a mouse properly all day at work (got many odd looks
too, due to repeatedly waving my hands about & looking like I was having
some kind of a fit !). In conclusion, I'm now of the opinion that the only
way to truly understand the phrase 'Hunan Hand' is to undergo the full 'Way
of the Hunan Hand' ritual as I (unwittingly) did.
ps. Note to newbies: Remember, I'm a trained idiot, so please don't try this
at home, or anywhere else.
:->
Tony.