But the capsaicin they contain seems to be the greatest source of health benefits.Ĭapsaicin also contains antioxidants called phytochemicals. They are low fat, low calorie, and contain a healthy amount of vitamin C.

But these spicy vegetables have some great health benefits. What are the benefits of eating ghost pepper?Įven the biggest hot pepper fans must exercise some care when eating ghost peppers. Although the ghost pepper was named the hottest pepper in 2007, it was unseated by the Carolina Reaper and several other varieties. Hot pepper fans today are passionate about their peppers and even have competitions for ghost pepper consumption. Ghost peppers have their roots in northeastern regions of India-specifically the Nagaland and Assam regions and parts of Bangladesh.īut they weren’t discovered by Western civilizations until the turn of the century. The line between deliciousness and danger is a fine one, so use care in preparation. Just how potent are these spicy veggies? Ghost peppers have even been used in the manufacturing of pepper spray. Experts advise that home chefs start with simple recipes like sauces and then scale up to get more comfortable working with these hot gems. Over time, the heat increases, so people must be sure to use it sparingly. People who love spicy foods adore the extra “kick” that a ghost pepper adds to a dish.īecause of its heat, preparing ghost peppers for cooking is a process that requires care and skill. Capsaicin stimulates nerve endings, can increase metabolism, and causes the body to feel hotter. It’s based on the concentration of capsaicinoids within a food. The Scoville rating system measures the spiciness (or heat) of chili peppers. It is 417% hotter than a jalapeno pepper. The short answer is, “Very, very hot!” One of the hottest peppers in the fresh produce section, the ghost pepper scores a whopping million on the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) scale and has been named one of the 10 hottest peppers in existence today. Make your own hot sauces or chili oil, create curry dishes, whip up salsa, make ghost pepper pasta or spicy salads (like Giardiniera), and prepare sweet and spicy bacon. When you’re cooking, use this spicy pepper in a wide variety of recipes. Ghost peppers are part of the Capsicum Chinense family, like the habanero, Scotch bonnet, and Red Savina peppers. Meaning “ghost,” the word was used because the heat of the vegetable sneaks up on whoever is eating it. The word “Bhut” comes from the Bhutias people of India.

It originated in India and went by less common names like Bih Jolokia, Nagahari, Raja Mircha, Raja chili, or Borbih Jolokia. The ghost pepper is also commonly called Bhut Jolokia.

When looking to add spice and heat to a recipe, a ghost pepper will certainly do the trick.