Horticulturists claim decrease in hotness of Bhut Jolokia

Jorhat, Assam: A group of agricultural scientists at the Assam Agricultural University has claimed the Bhut Jolokia, or Ghost chilli, a hybrid of Capsicum chinense and Capsicum frutescens, once recorded as the hottest chilli in the world by the Guinness World Records, is losing its characteristic hotness with time. The scientists suggested changing agricultural patterns in Assam and cross-pollination as the main reasons.

According to the study the hotness of the chilli has reduced greatly in the past eight years. The hotness, which measured 1.5 million Scoville heat units (SHU) in 2008, now measures only 0.4 million SHU.

With this, the Bhut Jolokia loses its status as the world’s hottest chilli, left behind by, reportedly, Carolina Reaper of the US and the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion of Trinidad and Tobago.

We are now taking up some scientific works to maintain the original degree of pungency of bhot jolokia which we found eight years back. – Dr Hazarika

The scientists suggested cross-pollination and changing farming patterns in Assam were likely causes. However, they still have to check other possible influences such as changing agro-climatic conditions.
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