What do you get when you mix a nearly unsurpassable heat with a rock star name? You get a hot pepper of legend. That’s what you have with the ghost pepper, otherwise known as Bhut Jolokia. This is the bad boy of the chili world, weighing in from 855,000 Scoville heat units to an eye-popping 1,041,427 SHU! It’s one of the hottest peppers in the world and a one-time Guinness Book of World Records champ.
In fact, the Bhut Jolokia has become something of a legend in chili pepper eating dares. Many popular YouTube videos have been shot of people downing a raw Bhut Jolokia in a few quick bites. And then the body’s responses begin. The heat of this pepper will bring out hiccups, intense burning, numbness, eye-watering, and general sweating.
Flavor Profile & The Heat Experience
There is a flavor beyond the extreme spiciness, believe it or not. This chili has a slow-building heat, so you experience the flavor (for at least a few seconds) before the hammer drops. They have a sweet, fruity flavor typical of many super-hot peppers, but underneath it is a light smokiness as well. Of course, that all disappears once the heat builds (and lasts). At the end, the predominant take-away will be very painful spiciness that can last for 15 minutes or more.
Culinary Uses & Nutrition
The Bhut Jolokia is a marvellous gift of nature. Despite being extremely hot, it possesses a pleasant and palatable aroma. Its name varies across different regions and countries. Because of its spiciness, refreshing aroma, and medicinal properties, it is used for pickle preparation, chili sauce, flavouring curries, and for home remedies.
They are quite nutritious, like all hot peppers. But there’s a big catch. Because of their extreme heat, you eat less ghost pepper than other chilies in a sitting. This means you only get a fraction of the benefits compared to a pepper like the very eatable jalapeño.
10 Main Health Benefits of Bhut Jolokia
There are many health benefits of eating Bhut Jolokia. Consuming Ghost Pepper on a regular basis has been known to help prevent cancer, heart-related diseases, skin-related diseases, lower blood sugar, and even produce antioxidants.
- Pain reliever
- Helps cure arthritis
- Helps cure skin disease
- Anti-cancer
- Antioxidant
- Helps with weight loss
- Gastrointestinal benefit
- Promotes cardiovascular activity
- Decreases blood sugar
- Improves liver function
Ghost Pepper Fast Facts
- Scoville heat units (SHU): 855,000 – 1,041,427
- Median heat (SHU): 948,214
- Jalapeño reference point: 107 to 417 times hotter
- Capsicum species: Chinense
- Origin: India
- Use: Culinary
- Size: 2 to 3 inches long, pod-like
- Flavor: Sweet, fruity, earthy
GeorgeTest –
I love ghost peppers. This hot sauce not only brings the heat, it has great flavor too!
brandondale1 –
Not just hot for the sake of being hot like other sauces. The flavor is SO good. I love putting this on breakfast foods like eggs, hash browns and sausage. Tomato based pastas and ramen. Any meats. It compliments everything!
andrei –
i tried the ghost pepper sauce on ribs, tacos and even scrambled eggs. the heat hits hard and fast, then lingers with a smoky, intense punch that keeps you coming back for more. it’s not for the casual diner, but if you crave real, bold flavor, this one delivers.