Here at The Spicery we're constantly dicing with danger, most notably chilli danger. Stinging eyes, burning skin and a numb tongue. However, even some of the hottest chillies hold delicious and distinctive flavours when used well! Here’s a quick guide to some of our newest chillies on the block, fire extinguishers at the ready!
Bullet Chillies
Imported from Sichuan, and so named because its shape resembles a bullet with a deep dark red colour. Uses: chuck them in whole to use in Chinese stir fried dishes or in Sichuan style braising dishes such as water braise fish.
Heat Rating: 5/10
Arbol chilli flakes
Chile de Árbol means “tree chili” in Spanish, a name which refers to the woody stem of the pepper which resembles the branches of trees . Due to its vibrant deep red colour and its integrity to maintain its colour during the smoking process it is enough used to make chilli wreaths in Mexico (ristras). Uses: this chilli is great for making salsas, stir fries and Mexican related dishes
Heat Rating: 6/10
Chaotian chillies
Originally from Sichuan province, these chillies grow facing upwards similar to its cousin; the Facing Heaven chilli. One of the more eye pleasing chilli with its cone shape and bright red colour Uses: it is often used at home in stir fry dishes such as " lazi ji " or known as chongqing chicken which it is stir fried alongside pieces of fried chicken, when cooked the whole chillies become milder and eaten whole as part of the dish.
Heat rating 6/10 , gets milder when cooked or stir fried
Scorpion chillies
The former world record holder coming in at an eye watering 1.2 million Scoville units, the Scorpion chilli compared to others can grow in a variety of temperatures from cold to warm, they are perennial plants which grow all year, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion has a tender fruit-like flavor, which makes it a sweet-hot combination. Uses: use very sparingly in everyday cooking a little goes a long way or use to make hot sauces with a fruity twang.
Heat Rating: 11/10 (eye watering)
Carolina Reaper
The Carolina Reaper chilli tops the scales as the hottest chillies in the world with a Scoville rating off 2.2 million surpassing the previous record holder the Trinidad Scorpion with 1.2 million. Uses: although it's the hottest chilli in the world it does have a lovely fruity aroma which will add a tropical citrus burst to any dish alongside a devilish heat which will make the devil feel a little hot under the collar, use cautiously to make a hot sauce that will blow the hairs out off your nostrils.
Heat rating: 12/10 (You’d be bonkers to try it!)
WARNING! It is best to prepare these chillies with rubber gloves and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards! If you don't have any rubber gloves to hand, a full boiler suit is the next best thing. Happy Spicing!
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