Examples of pungent flavor compounds.
capsaicin
Strong pungency actually diminishes our
sensitivity to true tastes — to sweetness,
tartness, saltiness, bitterness — and to aroma,
in part because it usurps some of the attention
our brains would normally pay to these other
sensations. Our sensitivity to pungent
flavorings also declines with exposure to it,
and that desensitization lasts for 2–4 days.
This is part of the reason that regular chilli-
eaters can tolerate hotter dishes than people
who enjoy pungent food only occasionally.
Herbs, Spices, and Health