Scientists claim decrease in hotness of Bhut Jolokia

Wikinews | SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

A group of scientists of the Assam Agricultural University of Assam, India has claimed the Bhut Jolokia, which was once recorded as the hottest chilli in the world in the Guinness World Records, is losing its characteristic hotness with time.

Bhut Jolokia. Image credit: Asit K/Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The group of scientists of the Assam Agricultural University said according to their 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 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.

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

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

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