Ghost Pepper, also known as the Bhut Jolokia, is a variety of chili pepper that is 400 times hotter than a jalapeño! It originated in India and is often used in hot sauces and chili powders. Learn more about this fiery pepper here.
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What Is Ghost Pepper?
Ghost peppers (Indian mystery chili) are an incredibly spicy variety of chili pepper that originated in India. Also known as Bhut Jolokia peppers, they measure in at over one million Scoville heat units on the Scoville scale – making them about 400 times hotter than a jalapeño pepper.
They can also be found in other parts of Asia, as well as in the United States. They are often used in hot sauces and chili powders, and they can also be eaten fresh.
When handling them, it is important to use gloves and to avoid touching your face or eyes, as the peppers can cause irritation.
What Does A Ghost Pepper Look Like?
Ghost peppers are one of the world's hottest pepper, and they're also one of the most unique-looking. They are long and thin, with smooth, shiny skin that can range in color from green to orange to red.
Once matured, the skin of the ghost chili will be slightly wrinkled with a bright red color. They get their name from their fiery hotness, which is said to be so intense that it feels like being haunted by a ghost.
If you're looking for a hot pepper with flavor as well as heat, these super hot peppers are a great choice.
How Hot Is A Ghost Pepper
Well, it depends on how you measure it. The ghost pepper ranks anywhere from 1,000,000+ Scoville heat units (SHU). For comparison, the jalapeño pepper typically measures about 2,500 to 8,000 SHU.
So, yeah, the chili pepper is pretty darn hot. In fact, it's one of the hottest peppers in the world. But there are actually other peppers that are even hotter.
For example, the Carolina Reaper clocks in at an astonishing 2.2 million SHU. So, if you're looking for a real challenge, go for the Carolina Reaper.
Ghost Pepper Vs Carolina Reaper
When it comes to hot peppers, there are two that tend to stand out above the rest: the Ghost Pepper and the Carolina Reaper. Both of these peppers pack a serious punch, but there are some important differences between them. Let's take a closer look at them, in terms of appearance, taste, and heat level.
Carolina Reaper
- The Carolina Reaper is a cultivar of the Capsicum chinense plant.
- The peppers are red and gnarled, with a bumpy texture. They typically measure 2-2.5 inches in length and 1-1.5 inches in width.
- The peppers have a deep, rich flavor with fruity undertones.
- The heat level of the Carolina Reaper averages 1,569,300 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), with some peppers registering as high as 2,200,000 SHU.
Ghost Pepper
- They can range from 850,000-1,050,000 SHU.
- In terms of appearance, they are slightly smaller than Carolina Reapers. They are also thinner and have smoother skin. Ghost Peppers are typically red or orange in color.
- Ghost Peppers typically have a more potent fruity, sweet chili flavor than Carolina Reapers.
So, if you're looking for a pepper that packs a real punch, the Carolina Reaper is the way to go!
Ghost Pepper Vs Scorpion Pepper
Ghost peppers and scorpion peppers are two of the hottest chiles in the world. They both have a Scoville rating of over 1 million, making them much hotter than jalapeños and habaneros. But what else sets these peppers apart? Let's take a closer look:
- Appearance: They are typically slightly smaller than scorpion peppers, and they have a more conical shape. The skin of a ghost pepper is also thinner than that of a scorpion pepper.
- Taste: They tend to be sweeter than scorpion peppers, with a more fruity flavor. Scorpion peppers, on the other hand, are often described to have a fruit-like flavor.
- Heat level: Both these peppers pack a serious punch, but scorpion peppers are generally considered to be hotter.
How To Grow
If you're a fan of spicy food, growing your own chiles is a great way to add some serious heat to your dishes. Here's a step-by-step guide to growing them:
- Start with seeds or seedlings - You can purchase ghost pepper seeds online or at your local nursery. If you're starting with seedlings, be sure to choose pepper plants that are at least 6-8 weeks old.
- Plant your seeds or seedlings in well-draining soil - They need plenty of water, but they won't do well in soggy soil. Add some organic matter to your soil to help with drainage if necessary.
- Foster plenty of sunshine and warmth - They originate from tropical climates, so they need lots of sunshine and warmth to thrive. If you live in a cooler climate, the best way to grow them is indoors or in a greenhouse, make sure to maintain a temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mulch around your plants to help retain moisture and deter weeds -An organic mulch like straw or bark mulch will work best.
- Water your plants regularly - These hot peppers need to be kept evenly moist, so water them deeply about 2-3 times per week. Be sure to check the soil before watering to make sure it's not already saturated.
- Fertilize your plants monthly - Use a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20.
- Watch for pests and disease - Aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites can all be problematic for ghost chili plants. Keep an eye out for any signs of infestation and treat accordingly.
- Harvest your peppers when they're mature - They are typically ready to harvest 75-80 days after planting. Peppers will mature from green to red, so you can pick them at either stage. If you want the peppers to be extra spicy, wait until they're fully red before harvesting.
With a little care and attention, you can easily grow your own bhut jolokia pepper at home! Just be sure to wear gloves when handling the peppers, and enjoy the heat!
How To Cook With Ghost Peppers
They are one of the hottest peppers in the world, and they’re gaining popularity as a culinary ingredient. If you’re looking to add some spice to your cooking, here are a few recipes that feature this Naga Jolokia pepper:
- Ghost pepper nuggets: These bite-sized pieces of chicken are coated in a fiery batter made with ghost pepper powder and fried to golden perfection. Serve with bleu cheese dressing or your favorite dipping sauce.
- Ghost pepper chips: These kettle-cooked chips are packed with flavor, thanks to the addition of hot peppers. They’re perfect for snacking on or serving alongside a sandwich or burger.
- Ghost pepper hot sauce: This recipe combines the heat of ghost chili peppers with the sweetness of mangoes, resulting in a unique and delicious hot sauce. Add it to your favorite dishes for an extra kick of flavor.
- Ghost pepper ranch: Kick up your ranch dressing a notch by adding some red chili powder to the mix. This zesty version is perfect for dipping veggies, spreading on sandwiches, or using it as a salad dressing.
People Also Ask [FAQs]
A Ghost Pepper has a Scoville rating of 1,041,427 SHU.
The Spanish name for Ghost Pepper is Chile Fantasma.
Ghost peppers have a unique flavor that is fruity and sweet chili flavor. Unfortunately, their heat can be so intense that it can be difficult to enjoy their flavor.
An Indian grocery store is one location where you might buy ghost peppers. Alternatively, you may find them online at stores like Amazon.
Wrap Up: Ghost Pepper
- They are an incredibly spicy variety of chili pepper that originated in India. They measure in at over one million Scoville heat units on the Scoville scale – making them about 400 times hotter than the mildest jalapeño pepper.
- They are often used in hot sauces and chili powders and can also be eaten fresh. When handling them, it is important to use gloves and to avoid touching your face or eyes, as the peppers can cause irritation.
- Both ghost peppers and scorpion peppers are very hot, but there are some important differences between them. Ghost chili peppers are typically smaller and have a sweeter, more fruity flavor. Scorpion peppers are generally hotter and have a fruit-like flavor.
- Growing these spiciest chili peppers is not difficult, but it does require some care and attention.
- These peppers are very spicy, so they should be used with caution in cooking. If you're looking to add some heat to your dishes, these peppers are a great option.
Recipe
Ghost Pepper Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 pound ripe tomatoes half grated, half diced
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup cilantro finely chopped
- 1 ghost pepper seeded and minced (wear gloves when handling!)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin if available
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black salt optional
- ½ teaspoon black pepper optional
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl and stir until everything is evenly mixed.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour, so that the flavors can meld.
- Serve with tortilla chips or use as a condiment for tacos or burritos.
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