Ghost peppers are a popular ingredient in hot sauces and spicy dishes. They are responsible for some of the most pungent foods in the world. If you’re looking to get your heat on, ghost peppers may be right up your alley. But first, let’s answer the question; where is the ghost pepper on the Scoville scale?
Where Is The Ghost Pepper On The Scoville Scale?
When it comes to spicy food, there are few things more awe-inspiring than the Ghost Pepper. These peppers are hot with a Scoville Heat Units (SHU) rating of over 1.00 million SHU and an average heat level of 100,000 SHU.
And if you want to try out ghost pepper, it’s recommended that you start small as it can be overwhelming on the body. Adding ghost pepper seeds or powder into your recipes can also help you gauge where your tolerance for spice lies. You might eat them like candy once your taste buds acclimate to their unique flavor profile.
All You Need to Know about Ghost Peppers
Ghost peppers are chili peppers, also known as Bhut Jolokia. They’re zesty and spicy but not too hot to handle. Ghost peppers have become very popular because they taste amazing, and some people also like them for the heat factor.
The potential of the ghost pepper is said to be 400 times greater than that of the heat of the jalapeno. And it has a rating of around 855,000 to 1.46 million SHU. The ghost pepper is four to eight times hotter than the scotch bonnet and the habanero pepper.
However, the hotness of your ghost pepper will often depend on several factors. The genetics of the seedlings you plant, the environment, and the climate will also play a crucial role. Ultimately, your harvest time will also tell how hot your pepper will be. Regardless, you will get one hot chili for spicy meals.
Due to its high level of hotness, it has seen use outside of culinary settings. It is often used in the making of pepper sprays, as well as its adoption by the Indian army in making smoke bombs.
Fast Facts about Ghost pepper
The name ghost pepper comes from the fact that this pepper is so hot that it makes you cry. The ghost pepper is one of the hottest peppers, ranking around 1 million on the Scoville scale.
Ghost peppers are a type of chili pepper belonging to the caspsoicum chinense. Its fruit is around 8 cm in length and follows most chilies’ traditional ripping from green to red. It also has a wrinkled skin texture and is pocked. They’re very hot and can be found in many different cuisines.
Ghost peppers are native to India and Pakistan, where they’re used to add heat to dishes like soups, curries, and sauces. They’re related to habanero peppers, with some similarities. Both are extremely hot, about 100 times as hot as a jalapeño, and we have known both to put people in the hospital if they overeat at once. It has a sweet fruity and earthy taste.
Some Super-Hot Scoville Scale Pepper List
The ghost pepper is the third-hottest pepper in the world, with only the Carolina Reaper topping it. On average, the ghost pepper clocks in at a mouthwatering 1.4 million Scoville units. Below are a few of the top hottest peppers:
- Pure Capsaicin 15.00 million to 16.00 million SHU.
- Norhydrocapsaicin 8,800,000 to 9,100,000 SHU.
- Carolina reaper 2.00 million to 2.20 million SHU.
- Trinidad scorpion, Butch T, Naga viper, common pepper spray 1.50 million to 2.00 million SHU.
- Ghost pepper 855,000 to 1.46 million SHU.
What Do Ghost Peppers Taste Like?
The ghost pepper has a mild flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked, but it’s usually used in its dried form. Ghost peppers are known for being extremely hot but with a slow building heat, so the flavor can be experienced before the heat.
For a quick comparison, the ghost pepper is about 500 times hotter than Tabasco sauce which has an average rating of 2,500-5,000 Scoville units. If you’re brave enough to try one yourself, then you should.
Are Ghost Peppers Healthy?
The ghost pepper is a healthy spice that can be consumed. However, they are meant for some. This fiery little pepper is low in calories and fat (about 15 calories per pepper). It is also a good source of vitamin C. It’s also rich in potassium, which can help regulate blood pressure and lower the risk of stroke and heart attack.
However, if you have an existing medical condition that makes you sensitive to spicy foods or even like to eat them regularly. In that case, you might want to be careful about eating ghost peppers in large quantities because they are so hot.
Cooking Ideas with Ghost Peppers
Ghost peppers are used in various dishes, including soups, stews, and Asian stir-fries. They can be incorporated into sauces and marinades for added flavor to your favorite foods.
Ghost peppers have a unique floral aroma with fruity undertones ripe for the picking. They’re often found in hot sauces and other condiments, such as salsa, guacamole, and salsas. If you’re feeling courageous, give these spicy little devils a try; be sure to have some water handy when things get too hot.
You can also add them to season burgers or sandwiches and add a kick to tacos or burritos. Ghost peppers are an essential ingredient in many spicy cocktails too. Ghost pepper margaritas are one example of this famous cocktail. There are also the ghost pepper mojitos and even the classic Bloody Mary, a mixture of vodka or tequila with tomato juice or ghost pepper.
Conclusion
Ghost peppers are one of the hottest peppers in the world. It ranks high on the Scoville scale with a heat rating of over 1.00 million SHU. This puts it near the likes of the Carolina reaper pepper.
And although they are extremely hot, ghost peppers are good to add to your diet. They have a lot of health benefits, and they are also tasty. You can use them in many different ways and add them to almost any dish that needs spice.
