Ghost pepper is sometimes used in pepper sprays.
The ghost pepper is a specific type of pepper, native to parts of India and Sri Lanka, considered by many to be the hottest pepper in existence. The local term for this variety of pepper is bhut jolokia, and natives of these regions understand that the term “ghost pepper” has been widely applied by Western audiences. This pepper has been widely exported around the world for use in recipes that require a specific intensity of flavor.
Cayenne pepper is a common ingredient in hot and spicy dishes.
To understand the heat intensity of this pepper variety, it helps to be familiar with a scientific resource called the Scoville rating. The Scoville scale, or rating, helps define the flavor of a particular pepper or other food. The Scoville scale is made up of Scoville Heat Units, abbreviated SHU. These units are based on the amount of an element called capsaicin, which is found naturally in many varieties of peppers around the world. Using a Scoville scale, experts can technically compare the intensity of various peppers.
Jolokia peppers, or ghost peppers, are the hottest of all peppers.
What the researchers found is that ghost peppers tested on the Scoville scale can reach a maximum rating of more than 1 million units. This is best understood by comparing this grade to something like the more well-known jalapeno pepper grade, which has around 8,000 units. This makes ghost peppers hundreds of times stronger than jalapeños, giving those unfamiliar with the plant more guidance on its intensity.
These little peppers are often used in exotic cuisines, where the end result relies heavily on a tangy, tart flavor. As a prime example of the power of this pepper, ghost pepper products have been featured in some competitive feeding events that test the human body’s ability to handle capsaicin. Ghost pepper has also been used in the production of various weapons and self-defense items, for example in pepper spray commonly used by people in self-defense and also by police officers for crowd control.
As with other types of peppers, ghost peppers can lose some of their intensity during cooking. However, because bell peppers are inherently hot, many find this strategy only marginally effective. In culinary uses, ghost peppers must be mixed with a host of other foods for many consumers to remotely digest. Cooks also need to take extra precautions when handling them, such as wearing protective gloves and masks.