Summer 2025 is proving to be a hot one, with temperatures in London reaching a toasty 34.7°C on 1 July. When the sun is beating down, many people reach for ice cream and cold drinks, but did you know that spicy food can actually be more effective at cooling you down? Here, we explore why heading to your favourite curry house in South Kensington on a summer day can help you beat the heat.
Getting a sweat on
It might seem illogical at first, but spicy food is a great go-to on hot days. While your initial sensations will be of heat from spices such as chillies and ginger, these will ultimately cool you down. Chillies contain a chemical compound called capsaicin, which activates receptors in your mouth, tricking your body into thinking it’s hotter than it is. In response, you start to perspire and as the sweat evaporates from your skin, you cool down.
Ginger, cloves and cinnamon work in a similar way, facilitating heat production in the body. This causes the body to perspire and the blood vessels to widen, bringing your core temperature down.
Ideal conditions for cooling
Here in the UK, heat is often accompanied by humidity. Our proximity to the Atlantic Ocean means moist air is carried over the nation – and since warm air naturally holds more moisture, summers can feel pretty sticky.
When the humidity is high, the air is saturated with moisture and the evaporation of sweat is hindered. This means our bodies struggle to cool down efficiently. On days when humidity levels reach 70% or above, ordering a madras or jalfrezi may not be the best idea, since it can in fact lead to further discomfort. With that in mind, the best time to enjoy spicy food is when it’s hot and dry, and you’re wearing lightweight clothing to help your body cool off.
Our spicy picks for summer
If you’re wondering what to order at our Kensington Indian restaurant during summer, here are our top picks:
1. Chicken jalfrezi
Made with onion, green pepper and fresh chillies, this flavoursome curry is vibrant with sweet and sour notes. If the heat is making you want to keep carbs light, pair it with our tandoori roti, traditionally prepared in a clay oven.
2. Meat madras
Spicy, hot and tangy, this delicious option is made with ingredients such as red chillies, mustard seeds, and fenugreek seeds. Tamarind adds the characteristic tangy flavour, while ginger infuses the curry with aromatic notes.
3. Prawn pathia
A sweet and sour curry that works beautifully with prawns, pathia gets its flavours from lemon juice, tamarind, jaggery and tomatoes. Chillies provide plenty of heat, making it a perfect dish for summer.
Cool down at Little India
If the summer weather is getting to you and you’re looking for a way to cool down, why not head to Little India for some authentic Indian cuisine? We use the finest ingredients to create uncompromising flavours – book your table today or browse our menu online.
