Mouth Soothing Taffy

Capsaicin (cap-SAY-sin) is the ingredient that makes cayenne peppers "hot." Along with being very hot (spicy), capsaicin also helps to relieve pain. In fact, this same ingredient is included in several topical medications (applied to the skin), such as Capsaicin-P^TM, that are used for painful conditions such as arthritis.

You may wonder why you would want to put something spicy into your mouth if it is sore from cancer treatment. You should never put regular cayenne pepper into your sore mouth. This would be very painful.

However, the following recipe was developed to give just enough of the cayenne pepper to get the pain relief, without the spicy-hot burning. This recipe was developed and tested by nurses.

Preparation time: 30 to 40 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• ¾ cup light corn syrup
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• ½ to 1½ teaspoons powdered cayenne pepper*

*Start by using only ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper in the first batch. You can add more cayenne pepper to the next batch if this gives you better pain relief and does not cause any burning sensation. You can add up to 1½ teaspoons of cayenne pepper per batch of taffy.

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients except vanilla and cayenne pepper in a stove-top pot.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 256°F (use a candy thermometer).
• Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla and cayenne pepper.
• When cool enough to handle, pull taffy until firm.
• Let cool on waxed paper.
• When taffy is stiff, cut into strips, then small pieces.
• Wrap taffy in waxed paper and store in a cool place.

If you are feeling good and eating well, you may not need high calorie eating tips and recipes. Instead, you can try our recipes in the Wellness Nutritionarea.