2016 – Page 3 – PepperScale

The Ghost Pepper Planting Guide: A To Zing

The infamous bhut jolokia (a.k.a. the ghost pepper) is well-known for its super-hot slow burn. It’s a perfect chili for extreme hot sauces or simply spicing up a soup or chili. But know: a little ghost will go far. Growing ghost peppers in your garden will …

Dundicut Pepper: Pakistani Spice

by Matt Bray

Fiery and fruity…

Scoville heat units (SHU): 55,000 – 65,000
Jalapeño reference point: 7 to 26 times hotter
Origin: Pakistan
Products and seeds: Dundicut pepper on Amazon

You don’t need to search far in authentic Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine to discover the dundicut pepper. It’s a staple chili – especially for Pakistani cuisine – where it heats up curries, chutneys, and many other sauces and dishes. In fact, this chili is often called the national chili of Pakistan. Dundicuts are typically used dried and provide an extra-hot kick with a delicious layer of fruitiness.

The Habanero Planting Guide: A To Zing

by Matt Bray

Ready to grow the most popular extra-hot chili? Combining big heat and a delicious fruity flavor, the habanero pepper has built up quite the spicy reputation in the kitchen. And for those with a green thumb, growing habaneros is the perfect way to keep a continuous …

Spicy Whipped Cream

by Matt Bray

Add some sweet spice…

Whether as a dab of spicy for your slice of pie or as a delicious topper “with kick” for your hot chocolate, spicy whipped cream brings oh-so-tasty sweet heat to all sorts of desserts and drinks. We especially love it atop Mexican brownies – yeah, spice on spice. Or try it with a simple apple or pumpkin pie to provide a little flavor surprise.

The spice comes from simple sources: cayenne pepper powder and cinnamon (for a little extra warmth). This recipe calls for a full teaspoon of cayenne – it’s a good amount, and for those of us who are inclined to “spice it up”, you’ll be satisfied. If you’re looking for more of a mild tickle, go with a half teaspoon instead.

Jwala Pepper: The Intense Flame

by Matt Bray

Potent heat, appley flavor…

Scoville heat units (SHU): 20,000 – 30,000
Jalapeño reference point: 3 to 12 times hotter
Origin: India
Seeds: Jwala pepper on Amazon

It’s impossible to enjoy authentic Indian cuisine, especially authentic curries, without partaking in the jwala pepper. Also known as the Indian finger hot pepper, the jwala is the most popular hot pepper in India, and as such it’s used in all sorts of spicy foods, both as a fresh chili as well as dried. This chili provides a very eatable medium heat to meals.

Aji Omnicolor Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses

by Matt Bray

What are Aji Omincolor peppers? There are many beautiful ornamental peppers, many of which provide terrific color to landscaping or gardens. The aji omnicolor is one, but this chili brings something extra-special to the table, literally. There’s a complex, fruity, and sweet flavor to these …

Aji Charapita Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses

by Matt Bray

What are aji charapita peppers? Tiny, yet oh so very fiery, the aji charapita has wild roots. It hails from the jungles of northern Peru, and has mainly grown wild – only recently being cultivated for commercial use. Its size is small, like an American …

Charleston Hot Pepper Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses

by Matt Bray

What are Charleston Hot peppers? For many, the cayenne pepper is already a big heat, but its cousin the Charleston Hot takes the popular cayenne to a whole different level. Bred by the United States Department of Agriculture, this cayenne variety doubles the spiciness of …

Habanero Ketchup

by Matt Bray

Your burger will never be the same…

Ready to graduate from jalapeño slices? Go with habanero heat! Habanero ketchup is at the upper echelon of spicy condiments, especially if you leave the seeds in during the cooking process (recommended only for extreme eaters). Even without the seeds, this is not a ketchup for the timid. It’s blazingly hot, but with that sweet tomato tang that pairs with burger oh so well. But don’t stop there, habanero ketchup is delicious wherever standard ketchup is in order: as a dip for fries, as a topper for meatloaf, or even as a tangy glaze for BBQ. Don’t forget a squirt on your next hot dog, too, to really amp things up.

And, of course, we can’t leave you without our cautionary note: Use gloves when handling habaneros. All chilies can give you chili burn, but chili burn from extra hots and above (like the habanero) is at another level. Protect yourself while handling them throughout the cooking process.

Pepper Palace Reaper BBQ Sauce: Extreme Grilling

by Matt Bray

A BBQ sauce for those that think “big” and “bold” are entry level…

The grim reaper on the label should tell you enough. Pepper Palace’s Reaper BBQ Sauce, featuring the infamously scorching Carolina Reaper pepper, is a taste bud land mine. Yet, thankfully this isn’t a story of all heat and no flavor. There’s just enough tomato sweetness and peppery spice to make things interesting before the Reaper has its way. Let’s break down this super-hot BBQ sauce.