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Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Ghost Pepper |
| Scientific name | Capsicum chinense |
| Family / Genus | Solanaceae / — |
| Produce category | Nightshade |
| Produce subcategory | Chili Pepper |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| AGROVOC URI | c_1289 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 15.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bhut Jolokia Red | 45% | The original and most recognized ghost pepper, known for its intense heat (1,000,000+ SHU), wrinkled skin, and fruity undertones. Matures from green to bright red. |
| Bhut Jolokia Chocolate | 25% | Dark brown/chocolate colored pods, often slightly larger and with a smokier, earthier flavor profile than the red variant, while maintaining extreme heat. |
| Bhut Jolokia Yellow | 12% | Bright yellow pods with a slightly fruitier and more citrusy flavor compared to the red, but still extremely hot. Matures from green to yellow. |
| Bhut Jolokia Orange | 8% | Vibrant orange pods, offering a sweet and fruity flavor profile before the intense heat kicks in. Similar heat level to the red. |
| Bhut Jolokia Peach | 5% | Pale peach-colored pods, often described as having a more floral and sweet flavor, with a slightly lower (but still extreme) heat level than the red. |
| Bhut Jolokia Purple | 2% | Dark purple to almost black pods when immature, ripening to a reddish-purple. Often grown for ornamental value as well as heat. Flavor can be slightly less fruity. |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: 45°F.
- Freezing point: 30.6°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 3 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | very_low |
| Production rate (20°C) | 0.5 µL/kg·h typical (0.1–1) |
| Sensitivity class | low |
| Sensitivity threshold | 0.1 ppm |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: Avoid storage with ethylene-producing commodities like apples, bananas, or tomatoes.
Mixed-load compatibility
Ethylene-sensitive, non-ethylene producing
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? No
- Light-sensitive? No
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Strongly increasing, driven by culinary trends, ‘spicy challenge’ culture, and demand for unique flavor profiles.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -1.2 |
| Income elasticity | 0.8 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -1.5 |
Pack sizes
- 2-4 oz clamshells
- 1-5 lb bulk boxes
- 1 oz jars (dried)
- 2-4 oz pouches (dried)
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
Rendered by commodity_profile_renderer v1.0.0 on 2026-05-15T23:50:00.000Z.