Naga King Chilli

19-09-2024

09:06 AM

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1 min read
Naga King Chilli Blog Image

Overview:

Recently, Seiyhama village in Nagaland celebrated the third edition of the Naga king chilli festival.

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