The Peach Ghost Scorpion Pepper: World's Hottest Chili?

The World's Hottest Pepper: The Peach Ghost Scorpion

The peach ghost scorpion pepper has developed quite the reputation in recent years as one of the world's hottest peppers. With a Scoville rating reaching over 1 million heat units, it leaves most people gasping for air and begging for milk. This dangerous pepper is not for the faint of heart.

Origin of the Peach Ghost Scorpion

The peach ghost scorpion originates from India, created by breeding the ghost pepper and scorpion pepper together. Peppers with "ghost" in the name are well known for their extreme heat due to very high levels of capsaicinoids. The ghost pepper previously held the Guinness World Record for hottest pepper in the world from 2007 until the Carolina Reaper surpassed it in 2013.

The scorpion pepper also ranks among the hottest peppers in existence. When combined with the ghost pepper, their offspring reaches unprecedented levels of heat and Scoville units.

Experience Eating the Peach Ghost Scorpion

Those brave enough to try the peach ghost scorpion are in for an intense experience. At first, there is a tropical, almost sweet taste with hints of peaches and apricots. However, within seconds the extreme spice kicks in, causing most people to start sweating, tearing up, gasping for air, and feeling their stomach drop.

The intense burning sensation can last up to 30 minutes or longer. It also causes hiccups, shaking, nausea, and cramps in some cases. Most people desperately reach for milk or another dairy product to try and calm the raging fire in their mouth. Others just have to ride out the experience until the pepper releases its grip.

Using the Peach Ghost Scorpion Pepper

Obviously the peach ghost scorpion is too hot for most people to cook with or eat raw on a regular basis. However, some extreme spice aficionados enjoy using just touches of it in their cooking to add intense heat.

It can be used to spice up chili, sauces, salsa, curry dishes, ramens, grains, beans, tofu, eggs, and more. Just a small sliver generally packs enough punch to leave people gasping. The extreme heat lovers might use up to a whole pod mixed into a large recipe.

Keep in mind that you need to wear gloves when handling this pepper raw. The capsaicin oils can burn skin and are very difficult to wash off. Touching your eyes or other sensitive areas after handling the pepper leads to severe pain.

Growing the Peach Ghost Scorpion

If you want to try growing peach ghost scorpion peppers yourself, you will need to source the seeds and provide warm growing conditions.

The plants need consistently warm weather and do best in zones 9-11. In cooler zones you will need to start peppers indoors and harden off before transplanting after all danger of frost passes. They require full sun exposure and fertile, well-drained soil.

Like most peppers, the peach ghost scorpion flowers are self-pollinating so only one plant is needed to set fruit. However, planting different varieties nearby helps increase pollination and fruit production.

Peppers mature from green to orange and red when ripe, a process taking 100 or more days from transplanting. At peak ripeness the peach ghost scorpion reaches its hottest Scoville level.

Peach Ghost Scorpion Pepper Challenge Videos

Part of the peach ghost scorpion's rise to fame stems from viral YouTube videos showing people taking on the peach ghost scorpion challenge. These entail trying to eat a whole pepper raw and filming your reaction.

Most of the videos show participants sweating, choking, gagging, and desperately gulping milk while friends laugh at their misery. A few brave souls manage to eat the whole pepper raw without showing too many adverse effects.

However, attempting these pepper challenges risks causing damage to your digestive system or throat, especially if you have any underlying conditions. While entertaining to watch, think twice before attempting something this extreme.

Is the Peach Ghost Scorpion Too Hot to Handle?

The peach ghost scorpion pepper stands among the hottest peppers in the world, far surpassing most people's spice tolerance. While a rare few hardcore spice lovers manage to consume whole pods, most people struggle after tasting just a tiny piece. Handle with extreme caution and respect if you dare to bring this fiery pepper into your kitchen!

FAQs

How hot is the peach ghost scorpion on the Scoville scale?

The peach ghost scorpion registers over 1 million Scoville heat units, making it one of the hottest peppers in the world.

What are the effects of eating a peach ghost scorpion?

Effects include sweating, shaking, hiccups, nausea, cramping, and an intense burning sensation lasting 30 minutes or longer. Milk is needed to calm the extreme spice.

Can you use the peach ghost scorpion in cooking?

Very small amounts can be used to add extreme heat to dishes like chili, salsa, and curry. However, most people cannot tolerate a whole pod in recipes.

How do you grow peach ghost scorpion peppers?

Start seeds indoors for transplanting out after frost danger passes. Plants need full sun, warm weather (zones 9-11), and fertile soil. Fruit matures from green to orange and red over 100+ days.