Naga King Chilli

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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