Introduction
The Bhut Jolokia, sometimes known as the ghost pepper, is one of the most notoriously fiery peppers. It has a nice name, and countless hot sauces use it. However, there are several things you may not know about this really hot pepper that will surprise you.
Here are five ghost pepper facts to impress your buddies with the next time you go for the ghost. Want to learn more? Please take a look at our full article on ghost pepper to discover where it fits on the ghost pepper scale.
What is a ghost pepper?
Bhut jolokia is a tiny chile with red or orange skin that can be rough or smooth. The peppers are 2.5-3.5 inches long and 1 inch wide, roughly the size of a thumb. Unlike jalapeños, these chilies have thinner skin and contain half of their capsaicin in the vein or pith, with the remaining half in the flesh of the fruit. That means you can’t avoid the heat when cooking with these terrible boys.
Growing
The Ghost Pepper, like other pepper plants, is a leafy blooming plant that grows to be around 2-3 feet tall. The plants thrive in warm regions and during the summer months. The photo below shows my Ghost Pepper, which I planted late last year. It thrived over the hot California summer, producing a plenty of peppers. So far, I’ve gathered approximately 50 peppers from one single plant, which is more than I could ever consume! (Anyone want some?)
How hot are ghost peppers?
The chile’s spiciness is measured in Scoville heat units (SHUs). For perspective, a bell pepper rates zero, Tabasco sauce is 2,500-5,000 SHUs, a jalapeño is 3,500-10,000 SHUs and various habaneros range from 100k-350k SHU. Until the 1980s, it was widely assumed that the hottest peppers had an SHU of over 500,000; then came the bhutjolokia, which had an SHU of over a million. It was officially validated and crowned the hottest pepper by Guinness in 2007. It retained that distinction until 2011, when a few other peppers, such as the slightly hotter Infinity chile and the current record holder, the Carolina Reaper (up to 2 million SHUs), entered the picture.
History and Origins of Ghost Peppers
Ghost peppers have been farmed in India for years, especially in the northeastern provinces of Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur. However, they only became well known in the early 2000s, when a farmer named AnanditaDutta Tamuli found a pepper with an unusually high heat level while farming typical chili peppers.
Ghost peppers immediately became popular in India, where they were used to spice up a wide range of meals, such as curries, chutneys, and pickles. They didn’t garner international prominence until 2007 when they were named the “World’s Hottest Chilli Pepper” by Guinness World Records. Since its ascent to prominence in the early 2000s, hotter chilies have emerged to challenge the ghost pepper’s dominance. The ghost pepper, currently ranked ninth, is no longer the world’s spiciest chili.
Despite this, it has maintained its celebrity status, staying a popular topic in viral videos and a sought-after spice in some of the world’s best worldwide hot sauces. Decades later, the beloved pepper has gained a cult following, with numerous Twitter accounts, blogs, and YouTube channels dedicated to anything ghost pepper.
Compared with Other Hot Peppers
Although many people assume that the ghost pepper is the world’s hottest pepper, this is not true. It was named the World’s Hottest Pepper in 2007 and retained the title for four years. Several more potent peppers have recently been developed. Pepper X is the world’s hottest pepper, with 2,693,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The Carolina Reaper is currently regarded as the World’s Hottest Pepper, with a SHU rating of 2,200,00—more than twice that of the Ghost Pepper. The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion ranks third, with an average of little more than 2 million SHU. Other spicy peppers with high SHU levels, ahead of the ghost pepper, include the following:
- 7 Pot Douglah (about 1,900,000 SHU).
- 7 Pot Primo (about 1,500,000 SHU)
- Trinidad Scorpion “Butch T” (about 1,500,000)
- Komodo Dragon (about 1,400,000 SHU).
- Niga Viper (about 1,300,000 SHU)
Benefits and Risks of Consuming Ghost Peppers.
Consuming ghost peppers in moderation may have various health benefits. According to some research, capsaicin may help reduce inflammation, discomfort, and enhance metabolism. Furthermore, ghost peppers’ high quantities of vitamin C and potassium may aid to maintain a healthy immune system and regulate blood pressure.
However, it is critical to consume ghost peppers in moderation because their high heat level can induce digestive problems such as stomach aches, cramps, and diarrhea. Ghost peppers must also be handled with caution since their capsaicin content can cause skin irritation and burns.
Types of Ghost Peppers
There are various sorts of ghost peppers, each with its distinct qualities. Here are some of the most popular varieties of ghost peppers:
Bhut Jolokia: This is the most well-known variety of ghost pepper, and it has earned international notoriety as the world’s hottest chili pepper. It has a fruity, slightly sweet flavor with a heat level ranging from 800,000 to more than 1 million Scoville heat units.
Chocolate Bhut Jolokia: This ghost pepper is similar to Bhut Jolokia, but it is darker in color and has a somewhat distinct flavor profile. Its heat intensity ranges from 800,000 to more than one million SHU.
Peach Bhut Jolokia: This ghost pepper has a peach-colored shell and a little gentler heat intensity than other types, with a SHU range of 600,000 to 800,000. It has a delicious, slightly sweet taste with undertones of citrus.
Are Ghost Peppers Genetically Modified?
Ghost peppers aren’t genetically modified. They are a naturally occurring cultivar of the Capsicum Chinese species, which is indigenous to northeastern India and surrounding areas. For generations, the ghost pepper plant has been grown in India’s states of Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur.
While there have been attempts to hybridize the ghost pepper with other pepper species in order to develop new cultivars, these methods do not use genetic manipulation. Instead, they use classic breeding procedures like cross-pollination and selection to create new pepper types with desirable features.
It is important to note that the production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is strictly regulated in many countries, including the United States, where the use of genetically modified crops is closely monitored by government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration. There are currently no commercially marketed GMO variants of ghost peppers.
Ghost Chili Pepper Powder
The Ghost pepper, also known as Bhut Jolokia, was “bred” to be hot. No, this interspecific hybrid chili pepper was grown in Northeast India with much fanfare. Ghost Peppers, a de-stemmed, crushed pepper with solid heat that is hotter than a habanero but milder than the Carolina Reaper, are ideal for heat lovers.
Enhance Your Home Cooking Using TRUFF
Trying ghost peppers is one method to expand your palate and explore new flavors, but it is not for everyone.
When you want to enjoy your cuisine with mild to moderate spiciness that does not overshadow other flavors, TRUFF sauces are the way to go. Spicy TRUFF sauces can elevate your favorite dishes with high-quality ingredients and decadent truffles in every bite.
Conclusion
The Ghost Pepper may be tiny, but it is undoubtedly powerful. Its complex history, extraordinary heat level, distinct flavor profile, and potential health advantages make it one of the most fascinating peppers on the planet. Whether you enjoy spicy cuisine or want to learn about foreign cultures, the Ghost Pepper is worth getting to know. Taste it for yourself with our award-winning sauce, Nuclear Option.
At 13 Stars Hot Sauce, we are committed to researching the history and cultural significance of food and all things hot. If you want to understand more about ghost peppers and other hot foods, visit our website.