There must have been a "throw down" at the last world botany conference - unbelievably we have a new champion holding the title of hottest pepper in the world! That makes three new titleholders in the last year.
As you may recall, in November I informed you of the Jolokia (ghost) pepper, from northern India, and it's initiation into the chili pepper ranks as the pepper with the most heat. Two months later I updated you with information about the Naga Viper, from southern England. I am pleased to announce the new heavy-weight champion of the world is the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T. hailing from the Australian outback.
Yes, the Butch T. narrowly outdistances the Naga Viper on the scoville scale. The Butch T. tips the scales at 1.46 million heat units, while the British Naga Viper tops out at 1.38 million. For comparison the average jalapeno falls around 5,000.
When Marcel de Wit, co-owner of the chili farm that grew the pepper spoke with Australian Geographic, he made the following comment "They're just severe, absolutely severe, no wonder they started making crowd-control grenades with chilies. It's just wicked." He added that "the pepper is so potent, he and his team have to wear protective gloves when handling the Butch T., lest their hands are left pumping heat for two days later." Making salsa with the Butch T., he explained, involves wearing chemical masks and body suits to defend against fumes given off in the cooking heat.
De Wit began cultivating the Butch T. two years ago after being given some rare seeds by Aussie farmer Neil Smith. De Wit claims that the champion chili will soon be the main ingredient in a stingingly hot sauce called the Scorpion Strike. We are working to be the first retailer stateside offering this product. Stay tuned for more information.
