I made some nice vegetarian veggie soup, and added the 1/4tsp. of cayenne. It smells wonderful right now, and yes, I believe it is a unifier of flavors. That would explain it's use in gumbos, etc. I think. Thanks to the wee woman at the vegetarian eatery, who ever she is. Mark "Mad Dog" Barringer http://home.earthlink.net/~mdogdrum/index.html