Learn about the world’s hottest chilli pepper since 2023 — Pepper X, reigning supreme with ~2.69 million SHU, surpassing the Carolina Reaper and redefining extreme heat.
Facts
Chilli facts we find fascinating: history, science, Scoville heat and the surprising trivia behind the peppers we grow.
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2026 the Year of the Hot Pepper
The National Garden Bureau (NGB) has officially declared 2026 the Year of the Hot Pepper which spotlights hot peppers (genus Capsicum) as the 2026 edible crop of the year, joining other featured plants like azaleas, ficus, crocus, impatiens, and sedum. This non-profit, founded in 1920, chooses standout crops annually to inspire gardeners, and hot peppers […]
Birds do not experience the sensation of heat when consuming spicy foods
Birds do not experience the sensation of heat when consuming spicy foods due to the fact that they are generally not sensitive to capsaicin, the compound responsible for the spiciness in chili peppers. While capsaicin acts as a deterrent to mammals due to its heat-inducing properties, birds are largely unaffected by it. Mammals chew and […]
Hot Sauce Day
Today marks International Hot Sauce Day, honoring Wilbur Lincoln Scoville, born on January 22, 1865. Scoville, a pioneering pharmacist, developed the Scoville Organoleptic Test and the Scoville Scale, revolutionizing how we measure the heat of chili peppers. The scale’s unit, Scoville Heat Unit (SHU), quantifies the spiciness of various peppers and hot sauces. His legacy […]
Fresh peppers and it’s dried counterparts
Did you know that dried chilli peppers might have a completely different name that its fresh original? I wasn’t able to find a good reason why is that so (other than “To confuse the gringos.”😉 Anyhow, here is a list and description summary for fresh chilli peppers and its dried counterparts. Fresh chilli peppers and […]
The science of spiciness – Rose Eveleth
Here is the science and history behind spicy foods, giving insights into why some people continue to pay the painful price for a little spice.
What Happens to Your Heart When You Eat Spicy Food Everyday
Spicy food is not only about loosening clogged nose and turning up body heat. It means more than what we believe it to be. Let’s dive deeper into a different type of health benefits of spice and spicy foods. When you consume spicy food regularly, several things can happen to your heart, both short-term and […]
First Chilli Wine
Did you know that the first official chilli wine was produced in Slovenia? It all started back in 2014 with a simple rhetorical question “Why don’t we make a chilli wine?” After the initial idea and a few semi-successful attempts, Vizjak farm joined forces with Winery Kolar and produced two flavours of it: Semi-Sweet White […]
China as a place of chilli origin?
Chili peppers, known for their fiery kick, are an essential part of culinary traditions across the globe. From the spicy curries of India to the tangy salsas of Mexico, chilies have shaped the flavor profiles of many dishes. While many associate the fiery ingredient with Mexico and South America, China holds a fascinating place in […]
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