They were originally called Xocolatl peppers by the native Nahuatl speaking peoples in the region, and when it was first sold by British spice traders in the 1800s, the name was corrupted to chocolate because they found Xocolatl too difficult to pronounce. It can be hard to grasp the heat based on a number. This pepper has a richer flavor and a smokier aroma than the regular orange Habanero, is widely used in salsas, and is especially popular in making Jamaican jerk sauce. Today there are many forms of Chocolate Habanero grown in tropical regions worldwide, from their original home in Mexico, the Caribbean Islands(particularly Jamaica), and Central America to the popular varieties found elsewhere such as the Jamaican Chocolate, the Senegal Hot Chocolate, and the Congo Black. The shape is the standard habanero shape. The chocolate-brown, lantern shaped fruit are about 2” long, and so ornamental! 1, Carolina Reaper may no longer be the worlds hottest pepper. They take longer to grow and mature than other habanero varieties, but they are well worth the wait. The Chocolate Habanero, also known as the Black Habanero, is believed to have originated in Central America around 5000 BCE, and spread northward into Mexico and eastward into the Caribbean. Check out what's hot and what's not in the world of peppers. Swimsuit Model Chrissy Teigen – Hot Sauce Freak, Mo Hotta Mo Betta Red Savina Habanero Hot Sauce Review, Bali’s Best Roasted Garlic SriRacha Chili Sauce, Interview with Conan Herring of Howler Monkey Hot Sauce Pt. [1], The Chocolate Habanero can double the heat of an orange habanero. The Chocolate Habanero, also known as the Black Habanero, is believed to have originated in Central America around 5000 BCE, and spread northward into Mexico and eastward into the Caribbean. Bowl of Chocolate Habaneros Differences In Heat from Regular Habanero. These peppers prefer warm semi-tropical or tropical climates, and are often planted in March or April. Previously known as habanero negro, or by their Nahuatl name, their name was translated into English by spice traders in the 19th century as "black habanero". The chocolate habanero is hotter than the average hab with a max heat level of about 577,000 SHUs. Small slivers used in cooking can have a dramatic effect on the overall dish. [2] They taste somewhat smokier than normal habaneros. How accurate is this article? The chocolate habanero is another pepper associated with Jamaican cooking. TASTE: The Chocolate Habanero tends to be slightly larger than your typical habanero pepper and has a unique, rich, smoky flavor. Some seeds have been found which are thought to be over 7,000 years old. It gets its name from its brown color though it is sometimes referred to as a black habanero. The Chocolate Habanero pepper is a cultivar of the habanero chili, which has been selectively bred to produce spicier, heavier, and larger fruit, ultimately more potent than its derivative. CULINARY USES: Popular in Caribbean cuisine, it is used in chutneys, sauces and marinades and mixes especially well with fruit in salsas. [3], https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chocolate_habanero&oldid=968523610, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 19 July 2020, at 22:28. We are striving to become the ultimate resource for information on peppers, and if you notice any inaccuracies, or want to contribute content, please contact us. Will This Be The Hottest Hot Sauce In The World? They were originally called Xocolatl peppers by the native Nahuatl speaking peoples in the region, and when it was first sold by British spice traders in the 1800s, the name was corrupted to chocolate because they found Xocolatl too diffi… The word "chocolate" was derived from the Nahuatl word, xocolātl [ʃoˈkolaːt͡ɬ], and was used in the description, as well (as "chocolate habanero"), but it proved to be unpronounceable to the British traders, so it was simply named "black habanero". Others simply called it the black Habanero. They also have a more spherical shape than standard Habaneros. Hot pepper enthusiasts love the heat and flavor that these chocolate fruits are packed with, but be careful and use in moderation. When fully grown, the peppers are 2 inches in length, making them slightly smaller than other Habanero species. Black habanero is an alternative name often used to describe the dark brown variety of chocolate habanero chilis (although they are slightly different, being slightly smaller and slightly more sphere-shaped). This is a perennial flowering plant like most peppers, and can live for many years if properly taken care of in warmer climates, though it can be treated like an annual if they are grown in more temperate latitudes. The notorious & viciously hot Chocolate Habañero ranks among the deadly few at the top of the heat scale registering upto 450,000 scoville heat units. The Chocolate Habanero pepper is a cultivar of the habanero chili, which has been selectively bred to produce spicier, heavier, and larger fruit, ultimately more potent than its derivative. So beautiful! [citation needed] The black habanero has an exotic and unusual taste, and is hotter than a regular habanero with a rating between 425,000 and 577,000 Scoville units. For comparison: The orange habanero rates between 150,000 SHU to 325,000 SHU; That is to say that chocolate habaneros can be double the heat of the orange habanero. But don’t let the color fool you; these are not candy, but rather flaming-hot fruit that carry a massive 300,000 Scoville units of heat! Whereas the average Habanero ranges between 100-350,000 Scoville Heat Units, or SHU, the Chocolate Habanero in all of its many varieties ranges between 400-450,000 SHU. They prefer morning sun and slightly acidic soil with a pH level between 5-6. The chocolate habaneros take considerably longer to grow than other habanero chili varieties. The Chocolate Habanero is a hotter pepper than its orange cousins, with experts at New Mexico State University once saying that it was the hottest pepper they had yet tested. Chocolate habanero . They start life as small, emerald-green fruits that change color to their famous chocolate-brown as they mature.