One Ching Dynasty official of Hunan was even known to hold chili pepper eating competitions among his children and grandchildren, and to grade his daughters-in-law on the quality of the chili soy sauce they made.
根據湘鄉同鄉會報記載，湖南湘鄉人的清末名臣曾國藩，不但常讓兒孫比賽吃辣椒，還親自品評媳婦們製造的辣椒醬油，為它們定優劣，是一位標準的「辣椒迷」。