The Latin term capillus came to our language as hair. The concept is used to name hair: the fine filament of corneal origin that develops in the skin of certain animals.
The idea of hair, in this way, can refer to a hair or to all of them. For example: “This afternoon I’m going to get my hair cut”, “My son dyed his hair purple”, “Waiter! There is a hair in my soup. “
According to DigoPaul, hair originates from a root and then spreads down a shaft. It arises in a hair follicle on the scalp and is made up of keratin. Thanks to the substances provided by the blood vessels, hair can grow.
Although hairs extend almost all over the body, the notion of hair is usually limited to the hair that covers the head. The function of this hair is to protect the head and conserve body heat.
Beyond the organic or physical function, hair also fulfills an important social role since it has a great influence on personal aesthetics. A person can grow hair as a symbol of rebellion or adherence to a certain group (such as the hippie movement); you can even remove it altogether for the same purpose.
Depending on tastes and social constraints, hair care can occupy a very important part of personal hygiene or be practically insignificant. For example, many people decide to invest money and time in hydrating and revitalizing products to show off their shiny and silky hair, while others simply wash it routinely.
One of the ideas that fuels machismo in many parts of the world is that only women can or should wear long hair, although fortunately more and more men and women are liberating themselves and looking the way they really want to have.
Combing is a very healthy activity, both to massage the leather scalp to get rid of dead hair coming loose. Unlike what some people fear, excessive hair loss that can be seen at certain times of the year is not a sign of impending baldness, but rather part of the natural hair renewal process.
In some countries, it is known as angel hair, on the other hand, a type of pasta that is made with cornstarch, cornmeal and water. These are very thin noodles that do not take more than four minutes to cook. Although they can be eaten with different sauces, angel hair is also used for making soups.
This same term, angel hair, can have a completely different meaning. In Spain, for example, this is the name given to a cayote or pumpkin sweet that is made by caramelizing the fibers of the fruit pulp. Depending on the country and region, Curcubita ficifolia (alcayota, chiverre, cayote cider, or victoria), Sechium edule (chayote) or Curcubita maxima (giant squash or pumpkin) are used.
To make angel hair, it is necessary to cook the pulp in syrup until thin golden threads are formed. Some recipes call for the same amount of pumpkin as sugar. Other ingredients are usually cinnamon and lemon juice, which serve to enhance the aroma of the mixture.
In Spain, the sweet angel hair is used to fill pie and cakes, such as pasties, Majorcan ensaimadas and Cokes. It is also a fundamental component of bayonesa (also known by the name of cortadillo de cidra), a sweet made with puff pastry that is usually served in rectangular portions.
