In 'Some Like it Hot' (FT, How to Spend It, April 24, not available on line yet), Adam Edwards illuminates us with his survey of the spicy, spicier and spiciest peppers.
The UK is the place to be according to his piece if you want mouth scorching sauces and dishes.
The Dorset Naga, a red hot chili pepper wins the scorched palate contest according to Adam's test.
Joy Michaud who with her husband Michael came up with this little culinary bomb sells it with a warning label.
Here is how they describe the Dorset Naga (picture above, from their site):
"This rare chilli was developed by making selections from the
Bangladeshi landrace chilli known as Naga Morich. Other names for this
landrace include Naga Jolokia and Bhut Jolokia. In common with its
relatives, Dorset Naga has a scorching heat of around a 1,000,000
Scoville Heat Units, making these chillies significantly hotter than
any other chilli ever measured. Along with its heat, Dorset Naga is
backed up by a powerful aroma that imbibes any dish with a wonderful,
distinctively fruity flavour. The fruit are roughly cone shaped, and
about 2 cm wide at the shoulders and up to 4 cm long, though they can
be smaller. Naga are traditionally used green, but we sell Dorset Naga
at both green and red stages. Warning: this
chilli is extremely hot; please use with the greatest
caution.
Under no circumstances should one of these chillies be left
where an unwitting person, especially a child, might handle them. Six
fruit per pack (or more if they are small)."
Bangladeshi landrace chilli known as Naga Morich. Other names for this
landrace include Naga Jolokia and Bhut Jolokia. In common with its
relatives, Dorset Naga has a scorching heat of around a 1,000,000
Scoville Heat Units, making these chillies significantly hotter than
any other chilli ever measured. Along with its heat, Dorset Naga is
backed up by a powerful aroma that imbibes any dish with a wonderful,
distinctively fruity flavour. The fruit are roughly cone shaped, and
about 2 cm wide at the shoulders and up to 4 cm long, though they can
be smaller. Naga are traditionally used green, but we sell Dorset Naga
at both green and red stages. Warning: this
chilli is extremely hot; please use with the greatest
caution.
Under no circumstances should one of these chillies be left
where an unwitting person, especially a child, might handle them. Six
fruit per pack (or more if they are small)."
It has been available via their company Peppers by Post since 2007.