Purple Ghost Pepper

Sweet and fruity with light smokiness; the intense heat develops quickly after the initial bite and builds gradually.

The Purple Ghost Pepper, also known as Purple Bhut Jolokia, is a striking variant of the classic Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia). It produces wrinkled, elongated pods about 2 inches long with a pointed tip that start dull purple, deepen to vibrant purple, and finally ripen to bright red. The compact plants grow 2.5 to 3 feet tall with purple flowers and sometimes marbled foliage. With a Scoville range of 800,000 to over 1 million SHU, it delivers intense, building heat accompanied by a sweet, fruity flavor with light smokiness that hits quickly. The heat builds over several minutes before subsiding, often accompanied by endorphin rushes. Popular for hot sauces, powders, flakes, and adding fiery depth to stews or curries. It requires full sun for optimal purple coloration, warm humid conditions, and is considered expert-level to grow, taking 110-120 days from transplant. A naturally selected or occurring variant from Assam, India, it stands out in the garden while packing the signature superhot punch of its parent variety.

A rare, naturally occurring or selectively bred purple variant of the Bhut Jolokia originating from Northeast India, particularly Assam. It has gained popularity among growers for its vibrant purple immature stage and ornamental value while retaining the intense heat and fruity flavor profile of the classic Ghost Pepper.