Where Are Ghost Chilies Grown?

Ghost chilies are over-the-top spicy pepper pods originally grown in the mountainous regions of India and Bangladesh. They easily sprout in humid areas where strong waves of sunlight inevitably heat up the soil with a temperature shooting up from 75°F to 90°F, making it rather difficult to nurture ghost chilies in North America because of the apparent disparity in natural conditions.

Given the stumbling blocks of growing ghost chilies, quite a number of skilled farmers in America manage to concoct ways to successfully grow these monster pepper pods in their private farms and gardens. As the old cliché goes, if there’s a will, there’s a way. For example, in the absence of natural high temperature usually accessible during hot seasons, farmers make use of a heater at the bottom of the propagation mat to simulate the kind of heat necessary for the seeds to germinate properly. In 30 days, the chilies are fully grown in the simplest of containers, such as egg trays and cups.

Although Ghost chili is now an erstwhile “hottest chili pepper on the planet” according to the Guinness Book of World Records, spice enthusiasts in America still see it as one of the most sought after chili because of its intense spice that never fails to send anyone bustling in excitement and fear. In fact, ghost peppers are now 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.

So whether you ingest it to get rid of stomach ailments like they do in India, or use it as a non-toxic pepper spray, or eat it just for heck of it, ghost chili - available in dried or watered-down forms - will surely give you a ride you will never forget.