I've read that it has to do with the Age of Exploration and the influx of spices into Europe. What I read basically said that heavily seasoned food was seen as a manifestation of hedonism and for that reason groups like the Puritans avoided them and then that influenced American foodways. A number of spices are also thought to be aphrodisiacs, or at least to promote blood circulation, like garlic and chili peppers.
The New Yorker had an excellent piece a while back examining the zany world that is competitive chili growing. There's definitely an interesting relationship between spice and masculinity/virility:
"Chiliheads are mostly American, British, and Australian guys. (There is also a valiant Scandinavian contingent.) Chili growing is to gardening as grilling is to cooking, allowing men to enter, and dominate, a domestic sphere without sacrificing their bluster."
More information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Harvey_Kellogg#Views_on_se... Very strange.Strangely, Graham's greatest legacy may not be his diet or even his cracker, but rather cereal. In 1878 Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, a Graham disciple, created a Grahamite cereal he called "Granola." Following its success, Kellogg formulated his recipe for "cornflakes" and thus launched the American breakfast cereal industry.
Somebody hasn't seen The Road to Wellville. cue that shit up, yo, not only to see Bridget Fonda and Matthew Broderick as a husband/wife team that isn't getting enough sex, but because it's your only chance to see Sir Anthony Hopkins play Dana Carvey's dad.
"They're dead they've been electrocuted." "Well, that's a severe cure for flatulence, I will admit." -I want to see this now. Thanks for the suggestion.
I sent this link to a friend and he recommended the same thing. Guess I really have to watch it now. That sounds amazing.
For some strange reason, I don't think this will "quell" you b_b. Let me know how it goes. :P