Where Are Ghost Chilis Grown?
Ghost chilis are the extremely spicy pepper pods that were named by the Guiness Book of World Records as the “hottest chili pepper on the planet”. It has since been surpassed as of December 2010, but the ghost chili remains its popularity because of its intense spice that got the spice enthusiasts whirring in excitement (and fear). It is a challenge to cultivate ghost chili in North America because of the distinct differences in natural conditions. They are originally grown in the mountainous regions in India and Bangladesh, but still, there are more than a handful of skilled farmers growing ghost chilis in their private farms and gardens.
Ghost chili germinate properly in soil that has a temperature between 75°F and 90°F (85°F being the ideal)—the kind of soil that’s abundant in India and Bangladesh, that’s why it is easier to cultivate them in humid areas with strong waves of sunlight. In America, farmers usually use a heater at the bottom of the pot (propagation mat) to duplicate the kind of heat the seeds need to germinate properly. It usually takes 30 days for ghost chilis to germinate and it is best to grow them during hot seasons. Although they are difficult to cultivate, they can be sowed in the simplest of containers, such as egg trays and cups.
There are lots of differences how people use the ghost chili, and the variety change from culture to culture. The ghost chili is so hot that the farmers in India use it as medication to get rid of stomach ailments. They believe that the strong acidity of the ghost chili is enough to cancel out indigestion and acidic attacks. The chili is even studied as a possible weapon in India and neighboring countries (non-toxic pepper spray). In America, ghost peppers are used in cuisines to provide an extra mile of spice in sauces, dips and dressings. There are even extremely spicy ice cream recipes that involve the use of ghost chili.
Ghost chili is usually available in dried or watered-down forms, and if you want the complete spicy experience, it is best to try it as a pod. Growing a ghost chili inches you to the ultimate spice experience, but if you physically can’t cultivate, there’s always eBay and trusty trips to the local farmer’s market.
