Komodo Dragon Chilli 400 Times Hotter Than Jalapeno Pepper

• Ellen Smith


• 13 Aug 2015

Any Brits who favour chilli peppers of the mouth-burningly hot variety are in for a treat; Tesco said Wednesday they will stock the tongue-scorching Komodo Dragon chilli pepper in 500 stores across the UK.

For a bit of context, the Bedfordshire-grown Komodo Dragon measures up to a whopping 1.4 million Scoville units (the standard measurement for chilli pepper heat), whereas your typical jalapeno pepper weighs in at a measly 3,500 Scovilles (and let’s face it, some of those things can still be pretty hot sometimes).

“Do not consume whole,” reads the mildly unnerving warning label on the packet. “Do not touch without gloves.”

Tesco buyer and chilli-conquering badass Eleanor Mansell, who has tried the chilli, said other specimens pale in comparison.

“The Komodo Dragon is also unusual because it has a delayed reaction that lulls you into a sense of false security,” she explained. “At first you can taste a wonderful hot fruitiness but then after about 10 seconds the full might of this little demon hits you and your whole mouth is aglow.”

The Komodo Dragon was grown in Bedfordshire by chilli-farmer Salvatore Genovese.

“It’s the really hot ones that gain the most interest and so each year I try and grow one hotter than the last,” said Genovese. “The Komodo Dragon should be livening up meal times over the coming months. I’d seriously advise anyone not experienced in eating really hot chilli peppers to have some milk or yoghurt ready as a standby to douse the flames!”

 

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