Which place is known for the world's spiciest chilli in India?
Assam is home to Bhut Jolokia, the famous ghost chilli that was once recognised as the world's hottest pepper. Its fiery heat and smoky flavour have made it famous across the globe.
India is known for its bold flavours, but one chilli stands above the rest for its incredible heat. Bhut Jolokia, better known as the ghost chilli, is grown mainly in Assam and other parts of North East India. It was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's hottest chilli in 2007 before being overtaken by newer varieties in later years.
Even today, it remains one of the hottest chillies on the planet and continues to attract food lovers, spice enthusiasts and curious travellers from around the world.
WHERE DOES BHUT JOLOKIA GROW?
Bhut Jolokia is cultivated mainly in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Assam is especially famous for the chilli, which thrives in the region's warm, humid climate.
Depending on the area, it is also known as Bih Jolokia, Naga Jolokia or King Chilli.
HOW HOT IS THE GHOST CHILLI?
Bhut Jolokia measures more than one million Scoville Heat Units (SHU), making it one of the hottest chillies ever recorded.
It held the Guinness World Record as the world's hottest chilli before newer varieties such as Carolina Reaper and Pepper X took the top spot. Despite this, Bhut Jolokia remains among the world's hottest peppers.
HOW IS IT USED?
In North East India, Bhut Jolokia is much more than a spice. It is used in pickles, chutneys, curries and meat dishes, often in very small quantities because of its intense heat.
Many households also preserve the chillies in mustard oil to enjoy them throughout the year.
MORE THAN JUST A CHILLI
Bhut Jolokia has also found uses beyond the kitchen. Researchers have studied its capsaicin-rich properties for use in pepper sprays and non-lethal defence equipment.
Locally, it has traditionally been used to help keep wild elephants away from villages by applying crushed chillies to boundary fences.
ALSO READ: Mint, chilli, eucalyptus combo may fight inflammation better
A MUST-TRY FOR SPICE LOVERS
For anyone visiting Assam or the wider North East, Bhut Jolokia is a local speciality worth discovering, carefully.
Its smoky flavour and intense heat have made it an important part of the region's food culture and one of India's best-known agricultural products.
Just remember, a tiny piece is often enough to leave a lasting impression.
India is known for its bold flavours, but one chilli stands above the rest for its incredible heat. Bhut Jolokia, better known as the ghost chilli, is grown mainly in Assam and other parts of North East India. It was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's hottest chilli in 2007 before being overtaken by newer varieties in later years.
Even today, it remains one of the hottest chillies on the planet and continues to attract food lovers, spice enthusiasts and curious travellers from around the world.
WHERE DOES BHUT JOLOKIA GROW?
Bhut Jolokia is cultivated mainly in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Assam is especially famous for the chilli, which thrives in the region's warm, humid climate.
Depending on the area, it is also known as Bih Jolokia, Naga Jolokia or King Chilli.
HOW HOT IS THE GHOST CHILLI?
Bhut Jolokia measures more than one million Scoville Heat Units (SHU), making it one of the hottest chillies ever recorded.
It held the Guinness World Record as the world's hottest chilli before newer varieties such as Carolina Reaper and Pepper X took the top spot. Despite this, Bhut Jolokia remains among the world's hottest peppers.
HOW IS IT USED?
In North East India, Bhut Jolokia is much more than a spice. It is used in pickles, chutneys, curries and meat dishes, often in very small quantities because of its intense heat.
Many households also preserve the chillies in mustard oil to enjoy them throughout the year.
MORE THAN JUST A CHILLI
Bhut Jolokia has also found uses beyond the kitchen. Researchers have studied its capsaicin-rich properties for use in pepper sprays and non-lethal defence equipment.
Locally, it has traditionally been used to help keep wild elephants away from villages by applying crushed chillies to boundary fences.
ALSO READ: Mint, chilli, eucalyptus combo may fight inflammation better
A MUST-TRY FOR SPICE LOVERS
For anyone visiting Assam or the wider North East, Bhut Jolokia is a local speciality worth discovering, carefully.
Its smoky flavour and intense heat have made it an important part of the region's food culture and one of India's best-known agricultural products.
Just remember, a tiny piece is often enough to leave a lasting impression.
