Capsicum chinense
Ghost Pepper - Scoville, Taste & Uses
Ghost Pepper earned its haunted name for good reason. The pods look shriveled, with thin walls and striking red skin. Bite size heat is not advised. The burn starts slow, then floods every nerve with fire. Under that surge lives a surprising sweetness, with light smoke and dried fruit notes. Northeastern Indian kitchens use Bhut Jolokia sparingly in chutneys, pickles, and pork curries. Makers dehydrate the pods for chili powders, or ferment them into mash for extreme sauces. At 800,000 to 1,041,427 SHU, it once held the world record. Citizens who try it chase bragging rights - endorsed by the Ministry of Courageous Heat. Ghost Pepper typically measures 800,000-1,041,427 SHU (Extreme). Shows up across India, Assam and Nagaland in condiments, pickles, and marinades. Use Ghost Peppers in tiny amounts for chutneys, pickles, and spiced oils. Blend with tomatoes, garlic, and mustard oil for Assamese pork curries. Dehydrate slices for powders that boost soups, barbecue rubs, or chili pastes. Ferment the pods with salt for mash sauces, then blend with vinegar for dropper style condiments. Mix with mango, pineapple, or passion fruit to soften the flames while keeping aroma. Never serve unchecked pieces; disperse heat evenly through sauces or infused fats. See sauces using Ghost Pepper
Also known as: Bhut Jolokia, Naga Jolokia
Species
Capsicum chinense
Heat
Flavour
slow-burn, Smoky, Fruity, Earthy, lingering
Origin / Regions
India, Assam and Nagaland
Colour / Shape
Red when ripe, sometimes orange or chocolate
Pod size
5-8 cm long, 2-3 cm wide, wrinkled
Try it in the wild
Get sauces featuring Ghost Pepper
3 European small-batch sauces - flavour, fire and occasionally a bit of chaos, in a box.
Sauces Using Ghost Pepper
Explore how makers use Ghost Pepper across styles and regions.
Arigato Gozaimisu
by Chicos Farm
That umami flavour bomb packed with serious heat you never knew you needed. The savoury beast from the East, Arigato Gozaimiso, pays homage to the rich, complex flavours of South and East Asian cuisine. Itâs a deep dive into umami, blending tangy, savoury, sweet, salty, citric, and earthy notes, all brought together with serious heat in one unforgettable bottle. Fermented with hoisin, fish sauce, lime, lemongrass, and powered by our signature Naga Vipers, Brazilian Ghost Peppers, and a finish of Red Carolina Reapers, it delivers both full flavour and full fire. Expect an umami-rich flavour journey with smoky, deep earthy tones, and crisp savoury bursts, balanced by zesty citrus and a touch of sweetness.
Arigatou Gozaimiso
by Chicos Farm
That umami flavour bomb packed with serious heat you never knew you needed. The savoury beast from the East, Arigato Gozaimiso, pays homage to the rich, complex flavours of South and East Asian cuisine. Itâs a deep dive into umami, blending tangy, savoury, sweet, salty, citric, and earthy notes, all brought together with serious heat in one unforgettable bottle. Fermented with hoisin, fish sauce, lime, lemongrass, and powered by our signature Naga Vipers, Brazilian Ghost Peppers, and a finish of Red Carolina Reapers, it delivers both full flavour and full fire. Expect an umami-rich flavour journey with smoky, deep earthy tones, and crisp savoury bursts, balanced by zesty citrus and a touch of sweetness. Weâve been caught âsmugglingâ bottles into our favourite ramen spot, but at home itâs a go-to for stir-fried rice, noodle bowls, or as a dipping sauce (mix it with soy!) for gyozas or summer rolls. Rumour has it, itâs also great on schnitzel... hey, we donât judge.

BERLIN BRENNT - HOT CURRY SAUCE
This is the first in a new range and style of sauces by CBS, called Berlin Brennt, representing the flavours of Berlin. This Hot Curry Sauce is inspired by the iconic Berlin street food, Currywurst. It is indeed hot, but the focus is not on the chili as with our other sauces, rather on the relationship between the heat and the flavour, and how that flavour is inspired by the culinary identity of the city it was made in.
Not Your Abuela's Sauce
by Chicos Farm
Suave, zesty, smoky hot sauce with just the right amount of fuego. Cue up the music, because your mouth is about to sing. Inspired by a recipe from a real Mexican abuela, this is our signature Mexican-based sauce. Fermented con mucho amor, sweet peppers, tomatoes, smoked dried chillies, orange, dried cumin and coriander seeds, cinnamon, and our very own homegrown Red Big Mama, Yellow Scorpion Butch-T, and just a touch of Red Carolina Reaper, just enough to keep things interesting without overwhelming. Not Your Abuelaâs brings your food to life with a deep citrusy-smoky flavour and a crisp, slightly sweet edge. Please try not to use it all on your tacos or chilli. Save some to liven up your grilled meat, roasted veggies, potatoes, or even just a piece of bread (no judgment).
TriniTang
by Chicos Farm
Freshly citric! Lime meets fresh mint and parsley, in a tangy hot mess. Get ready for some sunshine in a bottle. TriniTang is our bright, summer-feel sauce that warms you up in the winter. Fermented with fruity sweet peppers, fresh lime, parsley and mint, and blessed with Yellow Scorpion Butch-T, White Jolokia, and just a dash of Red Carolina Reaper to get things going. It brings a zesty warmth and a fresh herbal breeze to your table, with just the right amount of tang to liven up anything you're cooking. We love it as a salad dressing, drizzled over grilled fish, seafood, oven-baked vegetables, or any lean meat like chicken or turkey.
Flavour & Aroma
Heat Profile
Scoville range
800,000-1,041,427 SHU
Heat label
Extreme
Harvest window
Late summer to early autumn
Sauce Index count
7
History & Culture
Botany & Growing Notes
âŒ
Trial Box visual placeholder
- 3 Ă 100 ml sauces (varied styles)
- Tasting card & pairing pointers
- Ships EU-wide; limited runs
Trial Box
One-off box to explore heat and flavour across different sauce styles. No commitment; just taste and take notes.
Buy Trial BoxFAQ
Ghost Pepper typically measures 800,000-1,041,427 SHU (Extreme). Ranges shift with cultivar and growing conditions.
slow-burn, Smoky, Fruity, Earthy, lingering
Bhut Jolokia, Naga Jolokia show up as common aliases depending on region. This pepper's alternate names mostly come from regional dialects.
Consider 7 Pot, Carolina Reaper, Komodo Dragon, Naga Viper for comparable heat or recipes.
- 7 Pot - Extreme
- Carolina Reaper - Extreme
- Komodo Dragon - Extreme
- Naga Viper - Extreme
Use Ghost Peppers in tiny amounts for chutneys, pickles, and spiced oils. Blend with tomatoes, garlic, and mustard oil for Assamese pork curries. Dehydrate slices for powders that boost soups, barbecue rubs, or chili pastes. Ferment the pods with salt for mash sauces, then blend with vinegar for dropper style condiments. Mix with mango, pineapple, or passion fruit to soften the flames while keeping aroma. Never serve unchecked pieces; disperse heat evenly through sauces or infused fats.
Ghost Peppers need a hot, humid season and at least 120 days to ripen. Start seeds indoors 12 weeks before transplanting. Maintain germination temperatures near 30°C for reliable sprouting. Transplant outdoors when soil stays above 18°C and provide full sun with afternoon shade in scorching climates. Plants reach about 1 meter tall and appreciate staking. Keep soil evenly moist, but never waterlog. Use calcium rich feeding to support pod development. In cooler zones, greenhouse tunnels are essential for finishing fruit.
Always wear gloves, eye protection, and preferably a mask when processing Ghost Peppers. Use stainless steel tools, and keep dairy or oil nearby for emergency relief. If capsaicin hits skin, wash with soap, then apply yogurt or alcohol based cleanser. Seek medical attention if breathing issues occur.
Sources
- Republic of Heat tasting lab field notes
- Producer dossiers submitted through Directus
- Open cultivar registries & academic pepper research
We cross-reference seed banks, peer-reviewed literature, and reputable producer data for SHU and origin claims.
Reviewed by Republic of Heat - last updated 2025-11-08