Vegetables · Fresh chillies
Bhut jolokia (king chilli)
Extremely hot ghost pepper from north-east India, used in tiny amounts for fierce heat and a fruity, smoky aroma.
Also called: ghost pepper, king chilli, raja mircha, naga chilli, u-morok, bhoot jolokia
Around the world: ভূত জলকীয়া (as)
A kind of chilli pepper
Read the full spice guide: flavour, history and how to use it
Photo: Chiring chandan, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0)
What it is
A chilli from Assam, Nagaland and Manipur, also called ghost pepper, raja mircha or naga chilli. The pods are thin-skinned, wrinkled and about 6–8 cm long, ripening from green to red, orange or chocolate. It is among the hottest chillies grown, many times hotter than a habanero-type chilli, so one pod can season a whole pot.
Capsicum chinense × C. frutescens (hybrid)
How it’s used
- A sliver in north-east Indian pork and fish curries
- Crushed into fiery chutneys and pickles
- Infused into chilli oils and hot sauces
- Smoked or dried for long-keeping heat
Characteristics
- Taste
- Intense, slow-building heat with a fruity, slightly sweet flavour underneath.
- Aroma
- Fruity and floral when fresh; smoky when dried.
- Appearance
- Thin, crinkled, tapering pods with a rough, bumpy skin.
- When cooked
- Heat spreads through the whole dish; it cannot be taken back out, so add a little and taste.
- Sold as
- fresh, dried, smoked, powder
- Cooking uses
- Commonly cooked, Mainly a seasoning
- Common in
- Indian
Storage
Refrigerated. Keep fresh pods in a paper bag in the fridge; freeze whole for longer keeping. Dried pods keep in a sealed jar away from light.
Diet, allergens and safety
No major allergens in typical versions.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Egg-free
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Soy-free
- Caffeine-free
- Wear gloves when cutting and keep hands away from eyes; the oils burn skin.
- Cook with ventilation: frying or roasting the pods releases choking fumes.
- Use tiny amounts and warn guests; large amounts can cause real distress.
Nutrition per 100 g
- Energy
- 40 kcal
- Protein
- 1.87 g
- Carbohydrate
- 8.81 g
- Fat
- 0.44 g
- Fibre
- 1.5 g
- Sugars
- 5.3 g
USDA FoodData Central: Peppers, hot chili, red, raw (a close stand-in).
Substitutes
Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.
- Chilli pepper — Use several very hot fresh chillies for heat; the fruity, smoky character will differ.
Related ingredients
Recipes with bhut jolokia (king chilli)
Roasted tomato and king chilli chutney (Naga style)
Indian · 22 min · 19 kcal · Vegan