Lovers of spicy food often have the problem that they can't find condiments quite hot enough for them. Mere mortals may be screaming in agony while you feel only a slight tingling. If you want to really spice things up, maybe it's time to try ghost pepper hot sauce.
The ghost pepper or bhut jolokia comes from India. It originated from Assam, a state in the northeast of the country. It can be chocolate in color but more often is red, orange or yellow. The chili measures around an inch or so in diameter and usually has a length of about two and a half inches. Some varieties are uneven in texture while others are quite smooth.
In India, people use the bhut jolokia as protection against elephants by smearing it on their fences. The military in that country is also researching its possible uses in weaponry, specifically for smoke grenades and defensive sprays. Incredibly, Indians also add bhut jolokia to their food to add flavor.
The bhut jolokia is one of the hottest foods there is. It has a Scoville heat rating of about 1,000,000 units. It used to hold the record for the fieriest chili on Earth but the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion and the Carolina Reaper have both surpassed it with ratings of over 1,500,000 SHU. If you wonder how hot this is, consider that the habanero, itself legendary for its heat, packs in only about 300,000 SHU at the most.
Many people, upon taking their first bite of the bhut jolokia, wonder what the fuss is all about. This thought only lasts for about 30 seconds, though, before the heat starts kicking in. The burning sensation becomes more intense for the next 10 to 15 minutes and it's only when it subsides after 30 minutes or so that you start thinking that you may survive this after all. Milky products like ice cream or yogurt will help a little but avoid anything that is carbonated because this will only make the burning worse.
A great way to enjoy ghost peppers is to use them in sauces where you can control how much you eat. Making these sauces is quite an undertaking, though. The oil from the peppers can burn your skin so you'll need to wear protective gloves. The fumes will make your eyes water too so try wearing a mask and work in a well ventilated room. Because the oil tends to stick to utensils made of metal even after you've washed them, it's a good idea to use plastic utensils.
In lieu of donning protective gear, you may opt to just buy ready-made sauces. They come in many varieties. Most have a base of vinegar and then other spices, onions or garlic and lime or lemon juice are often added too for the few souls who can actually still taste anything through the burning agony.
These days, ghost pepper hot sauce is quite readily available. There are mass-produced brands that you can simply pick up at your local grocery store or order online. If you want a more homemade taste, check at the farmer's market or in delis.
The ghost pepper or bhut jolokia comes from India. It originated from Assam, a state in the northeast of the country. It can be chocolate in color but more often is red, orange or yellow. The chili measures around an inch or so in diameter and usually has a length of about two and a half inches. Some varieties are uneven in texture while others are quite smooth.
In India, people use the bhut jolokia as protection against elephants by smearing it on their fences. The military in that country is also researching its possible uses in weaponry, specifically for smoke grenades and defensive sprays. Incredibly, Indians also add bhut jolokia to their food to add flavor.
The bhut jolokia is one of the hottest foods there is. It has a Scoville heat rating of about 1,000,000 units. It used to hold the record for the fieriest chili on Earth but the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion and the Carolina Reaper have both surpassed it with ratings of over 1,500,000 SHU. If you wonder how hot this is, consider that the habanero, itself legendary for its heat, packs in only about 300,000 SHU at the most.
Many people, upon taking their first bite of the bhut jolokia, wonder what the fuss is all about. This thought only lasts for about 30 seconds, though, before the heat starts kicking in. The burning sensation becomes more intense for the next 10 to 15 minutes and it's only when it subsides after 30 minutes or so that you start thinking that you may survive this after all. Milky products like ice cream or yogurt will help a little but avoid anything that is carbonated because this will only make the burning worse.
A great way to enjoy ghost peppers is to use them in sauces where you can control how much you eat. Making these sauces is quite an undertaking, though. The oil from the peppers can burn your skin so you'll need to wear protective gloves. The fumes will make your eyes water too so try wearing a mask and work in a well ventilated room. Because the oil tends to stick to utensils made of metal even after you've washed them, it's a good idea to use plastic utensils.
In lieu of donning protective gear, you may opt to just buy ready-made sauces. They come in many varieties. Most have a base of vinegar and then other spices, onions or garlic and lime or lemon juice are often added too for the few souls who can actually still taste anything through the burning agony.
These days, ghost pepper hot sauce is quite readily available. There are mass-produced brands that you can simply pick up at your local grocery store or order online. If you want a more homemade taste, check at the farmer's market or in delis.
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