Naga King Chilli

About Naga King Chilli: 

• It belongs to the genus Capsicum of the family Solanaceae.
• It is also known as raja mircha, Bhoot Jolokia and Ghost pepper.
• It is a spice renowned globally for its extreme heat, which exceeds 1 million Scoville heat units (SHU).
• It is ranked among the hottest chillies in the world, the king chilli holds significant cultural and economic value for the Naga people.
• It received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2008.
• The cultivation of king chilli in Seiyhama is an ancient practice. Farmers begin searching for suitable plots in December or January, with large bamboo groves being the preferred location. 
• The peak harvest of king chilli occurs in August and September, with the final harvest in November and December.
• Significance: The king chilli has long been used to preserve food in Nagaland’s hot, humid climate, extending the shelf life of food and reducing waste. 

Q1: What is Geographical Indication (GI) Tag?

It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. This is typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and industrial products.

Source: Fiery traditions: Nagaland village’s king chilli festival ignites community spirit