Do you know the difference between these peppers?
Would you say you are a fan of spicy food? Well, Carolina Reaper beef jerky might be the food for you.
It’s not for the faint-hearted, but it can also leave you with the tastebud experience of a lifetime. The hottest pepper in the world is referred to as the Carolina Reaper. Coupled with beef jerky, it creates a mouthwatering and fiery flavor explosion. You should really try some spicy jerky; I’d recommend it.
What is the Carolina Reaper?
The Carolina Reaper is a type of pepper. It is known to be the world’s hottest pepper, and sure enough, it adds quite a kick to any dish it’s added to.
A Brief History of the Carolina Reaper
Ed Currie invented the Carolina Reaper Pepper. I mean, you can’t blame the man for taking it as a business opportunity. The pepper earned its Guinness World Record as ‘the world’s hottest pepper’ in 2013.
They rate their peppers at an average Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) of about 1.6 million, with some of them scoring an incredible 2.2 million SHU. To put this into perspective, a jalapeño pepper typically measures between 2,500 to 8,000 SHU, making the Carolina Reaper loads hotter. Are you sure you’d still like to give it a go?
The Rise of Extreme Spiciness Subcultures
Individuals have always loved spicy food. There are many reasons, including cultural, biological, and psychological reasons. Recently, as this love of spicy food has become more well-known, there has been a major increase in those wanting to test their spice tolerance and experience the thrill.
Quite literally, when the body reacts with spicy food, endorphins are released. For many people, it is a quick adrenaline rush and a bit of fun! Equally, it can be a great way to experience new cultures and dishes.
Why People Become Carolina Reaper Enthusiasts?
Carolina Reaper beef jerky, due to its immense spice, is popular among those who want a thrill. The adrenaline junkies (or should we say ‘adrenaline-jerky’s!). In addition to this, Carolina Reaper has really taken off on social media in a challenge where people test their tolerance for heat. Fair warning: there have been some pretty extreme and funny reactions!
Health Benefits and Risks of Consuming Carolina Reaper
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Carolina Reaper in Popular Culture
As previously mentioned, the Carolina Reaper has become immensely popular. Since then, companies have profited from creating a range of products, from spicy jerky to clothes with pepper on! Oh yes, the possibilities are endless.
How to Cook with Carolina Reaper?
Cooking with a Carolina Reaper pepper can be a fun challenge for those who like to experiment in the kitchen. It can be an essential ingredient, yet it also can be overdone; it’s certainly a fine line.
Carolina Peppers can make a great ingredient
Like a normal pepper, prep the ingredient by removing the stem, any seeds, and any blemishes. The seeds can technically be eaten or used in cooking; however, these are the hottest part, so approach them with caution!
Use this ingredient in small amounts. It is essential to remember just how hot it is; you do not need lots! Be sure to pair them with other ingredients such as onion, garlic, or herbs to really make the most of the incredible flavor.
You may want to serve your dish with ingredients that are known to have cooling properties, such as cucumber or yogurt. Often, this can offset the overpowering heat.
Here are some safety tips on how to cook with Carolina Reaper peppers:
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- Wear disposable gloves. Capsaicin is the compound of a pepper that is responsible for the heat, and it can cause intense irritation to your skin and eyes if it comes into contact with your skin.
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes.
- Make sure your workspace is well-ventilated. A lot of people find that if they breathe in too many fumes whilst cooking, they struggle to breathe. This is especially the case if you are cooking with large quantities of pepper.
In conclusion
The Carolina Reaper pepper can be the perfect addition to a recipe if used correctly. Similarly, it can be great if small quantities are used in products such as spicy jerky. Next time you come across it, maybe you should give it a try!