The UK’s latest 'hottest-ever' commercially grown chilli pepper is to go on sale at Tesco.
The Trinidad Scorpion, which until recently was considered the hottest chilli pepper in the world,has an average reading of 1.2 million on the chilli-heat measuring Scoville unit scale.
Some Trinidad Scorpions have been measured at 2 million Scovilles. In comparison, the average Jalapeno pepper comes in at 3,500 Scovilles.
Tesco chilli pepper buyer Shannon Berry said: “The Trinidad Scorpion is unbelievably spicy and should be approached with extreme caution even by so-called chilli heads.
“You can sense the strength just by smelling the chilli and the first bite leaves you under no illusion at all that you are about to undergo an intense culinary experience.
“But besides the scorching heat the Trinidad Scorpion also has a wonderful fruitiness that if tempered in a chutney or salsa with mango or banana it will create quite a wonderful relish.
“Be warned, it is so strong you need only the tiniest smidgeon in order to add some excitement to your food.”
The Trinidad Scorpion has been grown by Salvatore Genovese, who produces one million chillies a week on his farm near Sandy in Bedfordshire.
Salv, as he is known in the business, has become so renowned within the UK’s chilli head community that he has attracted a loyal fan base with followers eagerly anticipating the arrival of his latest variety.
Two years ago, he launched the Bedfordshire Super Naga in the UK, and demand was so high that initial supplies ran out within a few months.
This time, he has planted enough to at least last through most of the summer.
Genovese said: “It could be that the Trinidad Scorpion is way too hot for the UK market, so I’m eager to get feedback before deciding on whether to grow more or not.
“For the Bedfordshire Burner I was getting calls from chilli heads all over the world and it went down a storm which is why I decided to grow an even hotter variety.'
The Trinidad Scorpion will go on sale exclusively in 235 Tesco stores across the UK and will cost £1 for a packet of between two to three chilli peppers, depending on their size.
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