The Bhut Jolokia White Heat, also known as the White Ghost Pepper, is a rare and striking natural colour variant of the legendary red Bhut Jolokia from Northeast India. Like its famous sibling, it is a formidable interspecific hybrid, belonging to the Capsicum chinense species with some genetic material from Capsicum frutescens. This ghostly white version carries the same fearsome genetics as the original, delivering a blistering heat level that consistently measures over 1,000,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), placing it firmly in the super-hot category.
The plant is a handsome, bushy specimen that is highly productive, typically growing to a height of 3 to 4 feet (around 90 to 120 cm). Its broad, deep green leaves provide a dramatic backdrop for the pods, which share the same gnarled, wrinkled, and bumpy skin that warns of the power within. The pods grow to about 2 to 3 inches long, but instead of ripening to a fiery red, they undergo a ghostly transformation from a light green to a stunning creamy white or pale ivory, creating a beautiful contrast between their innocent colour and menacing texture.
Before the inferno of its heat arrives, the White Bhut Jolokia offers a complex and often delightful flavour. Tasters report a sweet and fruity taste, with some detecting distinct citrus, floral, or even smoky undertones. This flavour profile, combined with its unique colour, makes it a prized ingredient for creating visually stunning and incredibly potent white hot sauces. Due to its extreme heat, it must be handled with caution and used sparingly, but it can also be dried and ground into a powerful powder or used to add a unique kick to salsas and other dishes.
| Quantity of Seeds |
10 seeds per packet |
| Origin |
India (A rare, natural variant of the Red Bhut Jolokia) |
| Genus |
Capsicum chinense x Capsicum frutescens |
| Scoville Rating/Heat Level |
Extremely Hot: 800,000 – 1,000,000+ SHU
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| Plant Size |
Typically 90–120 cm (3–4 feet) tall, with a vigorous, bushy habit.
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| Pod Size |
5-8 cm (2-3 inches) long, with a characteristic wrinkled and bumpy surface. |
| Flavour |
Sweet and fruity with citrus and smoky undertones, followed by a slow-building, intense heat.
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| Sowing & Growing Conditions |
Requires a long, hot growing season. Sow indoors Jan-Mar with consistent heat (21−32∘C) for germination. Best grown in a greenhouse or a very sunny, sheltered spot in the UK. Needs well-drained soil and regular feeding once fruiting begins.
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All plants are grown on our farm in Norfolk, UK and are grown in an open pollinated area.
