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Me (on the right) and my son with the local scout troop and leaders An assortment of different chiles that I grow hydroponically in "The Garden" And of course, a photo of "The Garden"


The world's hottest chile—the Bhut Jolokia

By Jim (Habanero) Duffy



The World Record Holder for chile heat is called the Bhut Jolokia. It was tested and found to have a record heat of over 1,000,000 Scoville units!! It also is named the Ghost Chile by the locals. Locals say that the intense heat of the Bhut Jolokia Pepper has made those that eat it appear to look like they have seen a ghost.

Now that's what I call really hot!

Other names are the Bih Jolokia and Naga Jolokia. Another chile that is not a capsicum chinense species also goes by the name Naga Jolokia. It is a capsicum frutescens species called the Indian PC 1.

The Bhut Jolokia came to fame when it was tested in 2006 by Dr. Paul Bosland of the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University. Some say this strain is different from the ones grown in Assam province in the country of India. So how is it different? As far as chile growers go the New Mexico plants grow less pods but they are larger. Heat and flavor are the same. I am growing both. Now chile people say there is a third normal strain. It is called the Bih Jolokia.

So how is it different? Some say it grows easier and the pods are a lighter color of red. Again those I know that grow it say the heat and flavor are the same. I will plant Bih seeds soon and see if it does germinate/grow easier. If heat and flavor are the same then it will be my choice. I have been through this before.

Four Years ago I grew three varieties of Chocolate habanero. I grew the Congo Black from Trinidad, Jamaican Hot Chocolate and Black Cayman. My Cayman plants did not produce well. Both Trinidad and Jamaican varieties grew well. But the Jamaican Chocolate had the most heat. So this is the one I grow now for fresh chiles.

But I still grow the Trinidad variety for plant sales and because some like it more than the Jamaican. So I will eventually decide which normal Bhut Strain dominates my garden. Anyway if you go to India Bhut and Bih mean the same chile.

Now as far as I know there are two sub-species of Bhut Jolokia. We are growing both the Chocolate Bhut Jolokia and the Orange Bhut Jolokia. We know the Chocolate is real but the Orange might just be a Bonda Ma Jaques chile. By October 2009 we will know for sure. We may sell some samples of these in 2009 but for now majority of them are for seed production. Seeds will be for sale after October and plants hopefully in March 2010.

At Refining Fire Chiles we isolate our seed production plants to avoid cross-pollination with other chile species. Fresh Bhut Jolokia chile peppers available late September for $40 a pound.

If you want to try it yourself contact us for seeds, plants (March-August) and fresh chiles (September). We grow our Bhut Jolokia and other rare hot peppers Hydroponically.

We also grow the Trinidad 7 Pot, Trinidad Scorpion, Naga Morich, Chocolate Habanero and many other Hot Chile Pepper plant varieties! We also have a full garden of other rare or hard to find organic vegetables. Find out more about our other produce at Selah Harvest!

Check out our chile blog or contact us through our contact form on the left.

* All photos courtesy Refining Fire Chiles



Why I do what I do - Youth Venture

(http://www.yvcenters.com)


I was first drawn to chiles out of curiosity, not knowing that they would lead me to a greater purpose in life. Seeing the impact I had at the youth centers inspired me to do more for the kids, and the more I did, the more impact I had. God had introduced me to something as simple as a chile pepper. Where would it lead?


See more of the kids, special events and the visiting Aztecs team in the photo gallery
My inspiration came from God, the one who made chiles! I was bringing dinners weekly to two youth centers. The kids loved the food, and I began to love them. One day in 2006 I found myself with leftover food, so I went to a larger El Cajon center and offered it there. I remember a little boy asking me if I would be back. "Yes, I will," I replied.

Now I was at two centers on Wednesdays and one on Fridays.

My continued work with these youth is inextricably tied to, "Refining Fire." Though the business is not 100% non-profit, the expansion of salsa and chile sales enables me to increase my work with Youth Venture. The generation that succeeds us will inherit this earth. All of them were born with a purpose. We can contribute to their success by finding creative ways to love them.

Though I do not accept donations, you may contribute to Youth Venture by contacting Suzanne Alicardi at Foothills Christian Church (619-442-7728). I trust the our website will contribute to your knowledge of chiles and hydroponic gardening. Most of all, I hope that you will volunteer to help youth wherever you live.


Jim (Habanero) Duffy


Call me for more info on the world's rarest and hottest chiles (others also available) and get your fresh Gourmet Salsa now too—see the main site for more details! Also sign-up for hydroponics classes (must live in the San Diego, California area).



Phone (San Diego, CA)

619-504-9777


Or use our website contact form (above left)...