Chocolate Bhutlah – As Hot as the Carolina Reaper?

Don’t be fooled by its name! The Chocolate Bhutlah is nowhere close to satisfying your sweet tooth! If you are imagining it to be an exotic chocolate pastry or cake. …exotic, yes - but you couldn’t be further from the truth after that one word. It is a super- hot pepper that will burn your mouth and set fire to your taste buds. It is said the Carolina Reaper Pepper will blow your head off with the impact of its heat -metaphorically speaking. A new discovery, the Chocolate Bhutlah Pepper, is a huge contender for this title. Is the Chocolate Bhutlah Hotter Than the Carolina Reaper? Chocolate Bhutlah has a SHU of 2,000,000. The Carolina Reaper, officially the hottest pepper in the world, has a SHU of 2,200,000. The Chocolate Bhutlah is close to being equal in hotness to the Carolina Reaper. Perhaps the Chocolate Bhutlah seems just as hot as the Carolina Reaper because of its larger size. The Carolina Reaper is 1- 2 inches and the Chocolate Bhutlah is 2-3 inches. A piece of Carolina Reaper will thus weigh less than a piece of Chocolate Bhutlah. These two hot peppers also differ in appearance and flavor. The California Reaper is small, red, a pointed stinger, wrinkly skin. The Chocolate Bhutlah, on the other hand, has a teardrop shape and smoother dark brown skin. While the Carolina reaper edges the Chocolate Bhutlah, it is just a matter of time before this super-hot pepper could surpass the Carolina Reaper. In fact, a great many people believe that the Chocolate Bhutlah is already hotter. To topple the Carolina Reaper and claim the title of the hottest pepper in the world, the Chocolate Bhutlah should have a higher SHU and hold it for generations. Stability for generations is key to making it to the list of the hottest peppers in the world. These hottest of the hot, Chile Peppers are both hybrids, the Caroline Reaper was created in the Caribbean and the Chocolate Bhutlah was creating in Wisconsin in the USA. What is the Chocolate Bhutlah? The Chocolate Bhutlah (Capsicum Cinense) is a hot pepper that is a cross between the 7 Douglah peppers and the Bhut Jolokia or Ghost pepper. These two hot peppers are among the hottest varieties of peppers available. It was first grown in Wisconsin by Chad Soleski and his friend, Steve McLaurin. Chad and Steve grew different versions of the Bhutlah pepper’s chocolate variant creating two different strains. The Chocolate Bhutlah CS and the Chocolate Bhutlah SM. CS and SM stands for Chad Soleski and Steve McLaurin respectively. The name “Bhutlah” is a combination of the names of two hot peppers – “Bhut” from Bhut Jolokia and “lah” from Douglah. Crossing these two hot peppers created a hot pepper that is most likely to be even spicier than the two. The Chocolate Bhutlah is also part of the Capsicum Chinense species where all of the hottest peppers in the world are a member. The first Bhutlahs were red. The chocolate-colored varieties were later produced, and they were dark brown, so this was where the hot pepper got its name “chocolate.” The Chocolate Bhutlah was first noticed when Ted Barrus (a YouTuber) did a review of this hot pepper. He did a video review showing himself eating a large piece of this hot pepper. Appearance of Chocolate Bhutlah The mature pod of this hot pepper has a chocolate brown, earthy color. They initially start as green and turn brown as they grow. This hot pepper comes with an average size- about 2 – 4 inches long. It is wider than Naga and Ghost peppers. It is elongated with a wrinkled texture. The plant grows to be up to 5 feet or taller. As is true with most C. Chinense species, it can be very large in one season. The brown color of the Chocolate Bhutlah is quite unusual in the world of hot peppers. The Heat of the Chocolate Bhutlah To qualify as one of the hottest peppers in the world, a hot pepper should remain stable for generations. While the Carolina Reaper is the hottest pepper at present, the Chocolate Bhutlah is expected to overtake it anytime soon and become the hottest pepper in the world. The Taste of the Chocolate Bhutlah This hot pepper tastes smoky, yet it has a floral and fruity flavor. Some people say it even has a chocolatey and nutty flavor with mild bitterness and slight sweetness. Similar to many chilies of its kind, the Chocolate Bhutlah initially tastes flowery and fruity. All these flavors, however, quickly turn into intense heat that will immediately numb your throat and tongue. You will no longer be able to taste its flavor if you eat too much of it at the same time. In comparison, the Bhut Jolokia or ghost pepper has a more floral taste and the 7 Pot Douglah is known for its fruitiness. The earthy taste of this hot pepper is common in chocolate hot peppers such as chocolate habaneros. It’s called “chocolate” because of its color - and not its flavor. Sadly, you may not be able to taste these flavors because of all the heat in this pepper. While heat builds up in some peppers upon placing them in your mouth, but you can at once feel the heat of the Chocolate Bhutlah. The Chocolate Bhutlah may not look much at first sight, but it packs a long-lasting, serious punch. Why is the Chocolate Bhutlah hotter? People say it is because of how the capsaicin is stored and spread in this hot pepper. You will feel the heat and your mouth will become numb. This is what appears to make the Chocolate Bhutlah seem hotter. How to Cook with Chocolate Bhutlah Cut Open Chocolate Bhutlah Hot Pepper The Chocolate Bhutlah is often used in hot pepper tasting challenges. In cooking, this pepper is commonly used, in controlled quantities, in sauces, salsas, stews, and soups. Some people dehydrate this hot pepper to make chili flakes and powders. When using this hot pepper in cooking, remember it is spicy and potent. If you are cooking with this hot pepper for the first time, start with the least amount and gradually add more depending on how much heat you can tolerate without making your mouth numb. Can Eating Chocolate Bhutlah Impact your Health? Some people who are not daring enough tend to shy away from eating Chocolate Bhutlah. They think eating this extremely hot pepper is bad for their health. Truth is that this hot pepper comes with some health benefits. Capsaicin is an ingredient found in hot peppers that makes them spicy hot. When you consume Chocolate Bhutlah, its capsaicin content triggers neurons in your body that perceive pain. The neurons send signals to your brain telling you that you have just eaten something that is spicy hot. The hot pepper is not literally burning you - it just feels like it is. The more capsaicin content in a pepper, the hotter or spicier it is. Eating Chocolate Bhutlah can change your health in so many positive ways: Increases metabolism helping you burn stored fats, thus making you lose weight. Makes you lose your appetite, so you eat less. Can help clear and decrease the pain of your sinuses. There is a myth that hot peppers can damage your esophagus or tongue. If you do not eat the hot pepper whole, it will not damage your health. Rather eat it in small pieces. If, however, you’re prone to acid reflux or ulcers, be cautious about eating Chocolate Bhutlah or other hot peppers. Your body will feel as though it is burning, so your blood pressure will shoot up and aggravate your acid reflux. Substitutes for the Chocolate Bhutlah The Carolina Reaper (2,200,000 SHU), Trinidad Moruga Scorpion (1,200,000 – 2,000,000 SHU), and the 7 Pot Douglah (1,853,986 SHU). To understand the Scoville Unit, Heat Units are used to measure the spiciness of peppers on the scale (SHU). Trinidad Scorpion Butch T Peppers Growing on a Bush More Facts about the Chocolate Bhutlah This pepper is fast gaining the attention of hot pepper lovers because of its scorching heat. Many fans claim the Chocolate Bhutlah is as hot as the Carolina Reaper. Some people swear it is even hotter. With its intriguing name and extremely high Scoville rating, the Chocolate Bhutlah is quickly getting to be a popular hot pepper. The Chocolate Bhutlah could be number one on the list of the hottest peppers in the world in the future. You can give it a try because it is a perfect addition to many of your spicy recipes. When it has already been scientifically proven that this hot pepper is the hottest pepper in the world, then, if you’re growing it, you can claim huge bragging rights! Even if it is still not officially the hottest pepper in the world, it comes close to the Carolina Reaper or even hotter. It cannot be denied that the Chocolate Bhutlah is extremely hot! The lists of the hottest peppers in the world does change when another hotter pepper is discovered. It can be exciting to have new hot pepper varieties to grow and eat. It won’t be long before the Chocolate Bhutlah takes the top spot! If you are looking for a hot pepper with a unique color and intense heat, the Chocolate Bhutlah may be your perfect choice. You can grow the Chocolate Bhutlah from seeds or live plants in your home and have a steady supply of the new hottest pepper in the world. Keep in mind, though, that extra-hot peppers have a longer growth period and ripen longer than other pepper varieties. The Chocolate Bhutlah is as hot as the Carolina Reaper. If you can tolerate the heat of the reaper, challenge yourself with the Chocolate Bhutlah this time! Final Thoughts on the Chocolate Bhutlah (On a personal note: While writing this, already my taste buds are having a party in my mouth! Personally speaking, I enjoy some heat with a medium amount of burn and sting in it. I like to feel it and gasp from its heat but not so much that I want more heat, more pain and not be able to taste my food. I certainly don’t want the roof of my mouth to blow off! There are thousands of people who hold a similar opinion to mine, yet, we’re always hoping that someone will find a hotter pepper with more dangerous side effects. How bizarre is that, when we’ll never try the hottest pepper and so, strangely for us, it will always be the one that got away! The thing of it is if you want to feel the heat with someone (thinking of the song now) you’d prefer not to have a group of laughing, giggling, throat clutching, red faced people around you. On a weirder note, you don’t want to feel the heat alone – whether it’s food or the other thing…..) Patricia Godwin