The Bhut Jolokia, also known as Ghost Pepper or Naga Jolokia, is one of the hottest chilies in the world. Its name comes from the local words “Bhut,” which refers to Bhutan or ghost, and “Jolokia,” which means chili. This chili is famous for its extreme heat and its rich taste and story.
What Is the Scoville Scale?
The Scoville Scale is a way to measure how spicy a chili is. It shows how much capsaicin is in the chili. Capsaicin is the chemical that causes the burning feeling when we eat chilies. The higher the number on the Scoville Scale, the hotter the pepper is.
The Bhut Jolokia Scoville Scale shows very high numbers. That is why it’s known as one of the hottest peppers ever discovered.
How Hot Is Bhut Jolokia?
In lab tests, the Bhut Jolokia scored between 850,000 to over 1,000,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). That means even a small bite of this pepper can feel extremely hot. Some tests even measured it at 1,041,427 SHU. These numbers are much higher than most everyday chilies.
Here is a simple comparison:
Jalapeño: 2,500 to 8,000 SHU
Habanero: 100,000 to 350,000 SHU
Bhut Jolokia: 850,000 to 1,041,427 SHU
That means Bhut Jolokia is almost 200 times hotter than a jalapeño. This extreme heat is what makes it so popular and so feared.
Why Is It So Hot?
Most chilies have capsaicin near the seeds, but Bhut Jolokia has it spread all over its flesh. That means the whole pepper is packed with heat. Also, the climate and soil where it grows—hot weather, dry air, and lots of sun—make it even stronger.
What Does It Look Like?
Bhut Jolokia is a long and wrinkled pepper. When it is ripe, it turns bright red. But there are other types too. Some change to yellow, orange, chocolate brown, or light green. These color changes happen as the pepper grows and matures.
Each color can have a slightly different flavor. For example, chocolate Bhut Jolokia is rich and deep, while red is fruity and smoky.
Where Does Bhut Jolokia Come From?
This pepper grows mostly in the northeast of India—in states like Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur. Local farmers have been growing it for many generations. It is part of their food, their farming, and their traditions.
People in these areas use Bhut Jolokia in pickles, curries, meat dishes, and chutneys. They also dry the peppers and crush them into powder to use later.
What Does It Taste Like?
Besides being hot, Bhut Jolokia also has flavor. It tastes sweet and fruity at first. Some people say it reminds them of mango or pineapple. But then the heat kicks in and stays for a long time. It burns slowly and deeply. This mix of sweet and fire makes it special.
How to Use Bhut Jolokia
Because it is very hot, most people use only a small piece. You can add it to:
Sauces
Soups
Chutneys
Pickles
Meat dishes
Hot oil
Even one slice is enough to add strong heat and flavor.
How to Handle It Safely
Always be careful when touching or cutting Bhut Jolokia:
Wear gloves
Don’t touch your face or eyes
Wash your hands well after use
If your skin burns, wash with soap
If your mouth burns, drink cold milk or eat bread (not water)
Because of its strong effect, some people even used this pepper to keep animals like elephants away from farms. It has also been used in pepper sprays.
Can You Grow Bhut Jolokia at Home?
Yes, you can grow it in a garden or in pots. Here’s how:
Use fresh seeds
Plant them in warm soil
Keep the soil moist but not wet
Place the plant in full sunlight
Use compost to feed it every few weeks
Watch out for pests and use neem spray if needed
Wait 90 to 120 days to harvest ripe peppers
Once the peppers change color and feel firm, they are ready to be picked.
Grow This Pepper At Home
How to Store Bhut Jolokia
Fresh Bhut Jolokia can be kept in the fridge for a few weeks. Wrap them in paper towels and keep them in a closed bag.
To store longer:
Dry them in the sun or oven
Keep dried peppers in a glass jar
Or freeze them in a sealed bag
These methods keep the flavor and heat strong for many months.
Why Is Bhut Jolokia Famous?
In 2007, Bhut Jolokia was named the world’s hottest chili by Guinness World Records. It was the first pepper ever tested that crossed one million SHU.
Since then, hotter peppers have been found. But Bhut Jolokia is still very respected and is one of the most popular spicy chilies in the world. It started from small farms in India and now it is known in every country.