Chocolate Ghost

The Chocolate Ghost pepper is a cross between the red Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) and the 7 Pot Douglah. This creates a distinctive variety with several key differences from the standard Ghost pepper.

In terms of appearance, Chocolate Ghost chile peppers have pods that typically average 5 to 8 centimeters in length and 2 to 3 centimeters in diameter with a conical shape that tapers to a slender, distinct point. They mature from green to red to dark brown, with glossy, smooth skin covered in wrinkles giving the pods a crinkled appearance.

The heat level is comparable to the standard Ghost pepper, with a Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) range of 800,000 to 1,001,304, which is on par with the typical red ghost pepper (855,000 to 1,041,427 SHU). Like other Ghost peppers, they have an intense heat that builds slowly.

The most significant difference is in flavor profile. Chocolate Ghost chile peppers have a fruit-forward, subtly sweet, tangy, and smoky flavor followed by a delayed heat that gradually builds in intensity. It has a more subtle flavor compared to standard Ghost peppers – slightly sweeter with a hint of smoky – that's reminiscent of other "chocolate" chili varieties like chocolate habaneros and chocolate scorpion peppers.

Of all the ghost peppers out there, the Chocolate Ghost pepper has the same heat as the red ghost, but with a distinctively sweet aftertaste. This makes it particularly valuable for certain culinary applications, especially in extreme barbecue sauces, hot sauces, and marinades where that subtle sweetness and smokiness can add complexity.