We want to take you on a world tour of the spice capitals of the world. If there's something we love at eh-co it's the spread of culture and awareness, we hope you find this as enjoyable as we did.

This is our Top 10 spicy countries countdown

South Africa

Today, the food is heavily influenced by India, since during the British colonial rule, many workers came over from India, who brought various spices, which have entered the South African cuisine.

China

Before hot chili peppers were brought over to China, the Sichuan Peppercorn, along with ginger, were added to dishes to give it heat. The Sichuan Peppercorn is native to China and is responsible for the numbing sensation it causes around your mouth.

Mexico

In Mexico, there are approximate 100 varieties of Chilli Peppers 90% of Mexican cuisine is cooked using at least one chili pepper

•Some varieties: Serrano, jalapeño/chipotle, poblano/ancho, guajillo, pasilla, mulato

Ghana

Spicy food is common in Ghanaian foods. With a cuisine that uses garlic, ginger and pepper, as well as a traditional spicy sauce named ‘Shito’, these spices are often complimented with maize, rice and bean-based foods.

Thailand

Thailand definitely has its fair share of spicy foods. With many different types of chilies growing within the country, and an abundance of spices such as peppercorn, garlic and ginger, there are plenty of dishes available that incorporate these, including dry curries and soups.

Malaysia

Sambal Belacan– a spicy chili paste – is a commonly-found condiment that comes with Malay dishes, whereas poultry, meat and seafood are often spiced with herbs including galangal, turmeric, laksa leaves and various types of ginger.

Indonesia

Rendang is a spicy meat dish that is popular throughout Indonesia and is infused with an intricate mix of herbs and spices that includes cloves, star anise and cardamom.

Ethiopia

Many Ethiopian dishes use a mixture of these ingredients – known as Berbere spices – as a base.

India

Each region of India contains its own range of spicy dishes – or curries – which often consist of meat or vegetables cooked in a sauce which can vary from incredibly mild through to extremely spicy.

Nigeria

Spicy food is popular in Nigerian cuisine, with a fair amount of their dishes using a variety of peppers, including Rodo (Scotch Bonnet) and Shombo (chili pepper). It is particularly popular with the Yoruba peoples, an ethnic group which makes up a significant proportion of the Nigerian population, who believe that eating spicy food improves one’s quality of life.