Ghost peppers

maryinoregon · August 2, 2007

I was reading about a pepper called bhut jolokia, or ghost pepper. It is grown in the state of Assam in India. After testing at New Mexico State University's Chili Pepper Institute, it was declared the world's hottest pepper by the Guiness Book. As measured by the Institute, the pepper comes in at 1,001,304 Scoville Units. Apparently is is fairly rare here and hard to grow according to the article. So I was wondering if any of you chili heads had this one. The Indians in the article suggested that those not used to it should bite only a sliver, as the pepper is explosive in taste. And preferably, those not used to it should not take a bite at all. Sounds like it is used extensively in sauces, as not much is needed to flavor any food.

Zana · August 2, 2007

I've heard of it. And my younger bro and Dad sampled some last time there were in India together. I gather its used in Vindaloo curries.....yummmm. Haven't seen it here though... but then again, I wasn't looking for it.

I haven't got seeds but I think I could arrange to get some from our suppliers we do business with over there. Now you've got my curiousity piqued big time, Mary. If I can get them sent or brought over, I'll let you know. BTW are there any other tomato or other veggie seeds from Indian that are worth growing here?...and ordering from there?

I wonder if it would reach the same scoville ratings if grown in a "cooler" climate. Dad was over there at the end of April/beginning of May and it was 46degrees C (113F) when he arrived...and cooled off to a paltry 41 degrees C when he left after 2 weeks. Those temps were without humidex factoring. So as hot as it is here with a humidex of 39 as of half an hour ago, its not even close to what they have there. Yikes!!

maryinoregon · August 2, 2007

I don't know that they grow tomatoes over there, but surely they must do a lot with vegetables. Aren't veggies much used in an Indian diet? I have no clue where to find Indian vegetable or fruit seeds. Seed Savers Exchange? Seeds of Diversity? Maybe they could clue you in to where to look. I was just so intrigued by the story. I think it was on Yahoo news. They said the pepper was grown elsewhere, and that production would increase in India, as I guess tea is not selling as well as it used to. That seems hard to believe. Anyway, I think the story said importers were getting in the dried peppers on a limited basis, but that will increase as production increases.

**Mischka** · August 2, 2007

http://www.chileseeds.co.uk/bhut_jol...hilli_seed.htm

http://www.nmsu.edu/~ucomm/Releases/...test_chile.htm

maryinoregon · August 2, 2007

Thanks Mischka!

August 2, 2007	#1
maryinoregon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 361	Ghost peppers I was reading about a pepper called bhut jolokia, or ghost pepper. It is grown in the state of Assam in India. After testing at New Mexico State University's Chili Pepper Institute, it was declared the world's hottest pepper by the Guiness Book. As measured by the Institute, the pepper comes in at 1,001,304 Scoville Units. Apparently is is fairly rare here and hard to grow according to the article. So I was wondering if any of you chili heads had this one. The Indians in the article suggested that those not used to it should bite only a sliver, as the pepper is explosive in taste. And preferably, those not used to it should not take a bite at all. Sounds like it is used extensively in sauces, as not much is needed to flavor any food.

August 2, 2007	#4
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	http://www.chileseeds.co.uk/bhut_jol...hilli_seed.htm http://www.nmsu.edu/~ucomm/Releases/...test_chile.htm __________________ Mischka One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

August 2, 2007	#2
Zana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southwestern Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,521	I've heard of it. And my younger bro and Dad sampled some last time there were in India together. I gather its used in Vindaloo curries.....yummmm. Haven't seen it here though... but then again, I wasn't looking for it. I haven't got seeds but I think I could arrange to get some from our suppliers we do business with over there. Now you've got my curiousity piqued big time, Mary. If I can get them sent or brought over, I'll let you know. BTW are there any other tomato or other veggie seeds from Indian that are worth growing here?...and ordering from there? I wonder if it would reach the same scoville ratings if grown in a "cooler" climate. Dad was over there at the end of April/beginning of May and it was 46degrees C (113F) when he arrived...and cooled off to a paltry 41 degrees C when he left after 2 weeks. Those temps were without humidex factoring. So as hot as it is here with a humidex of 39 as of half an hour ago, its not even close to what they have there. Yikes!!