So, there really is a “Ghost” pepper. I thought the use of that term was just some writer trying to add some mystery to an odd story. I guess Habanero is no longer the hottest.
“So, there really is a ‘Ghost’ pepper.”
Yes, I grew these monsters for several years and the symptoms in the article are standard for eating one on its own. Severe discomfort.
Ghost pepper is a general term referring to one of a family of peppers from southeast Asia such as Bhut Jolokia, Naga Morich, etc.
As for the hottest, ‘Ghost’ pepper has been surpassed several times in recent years through experimental cross-pollination of various peppers. The current record holder for heat is the “Carolina Reaper” at 2.2 million Scoville, over twice the rating of the ‘ghosties’.