29 October 2007
New Holder Of Hottest Chile Record
by Kate Melville

Bhut Jolokia, a variety of chile pepper originating in Assam, India, has taken the title of the world's hottest, announce Researchers at New Mexico State University.

Confirming the recognition from Guinness World Records, the researchers report that the new contender rocketed past the previous champion Red Savina. In replicated tests of Scoville heat units (SHUs), Bhut Jolokia reached one million SHUs, almost double the SHUs of Red Savina, which measured a mere 577,000.

Dr. Paul Bosland, the Director of the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University, collected seeds of Bhut Jolokia while visiting India in 2001. Bosland grew Bhut Jolokia plants under insect-proof cages for three years to produce enough seed to complete the required field tests. "The name Bhut Jolokia translates as 'ghost chile'," Bosland said, "I think it's because the chile is so hot, you give up the ghost when you eat it!" Bosland added that the intense heat concentration of Bhut Jolokia could have significant impact on the food industry as an economical seasoning in packaged foods.

Related articles:
Savoring The Flavoring

Source: American Society for Horticultural Science
Pic courtesy Paul Bosland