Dear Dave,How hot is the Philippine "labuyo" (a.k.a. siling labuyo)? These are small chilies and are terribly hot whether not-so-ripe green or mature red. I remember reading a paperback Guinness Book of World Records (forgot the year) which claims it is the hottest natural (meaning not artificially bred) chile in the world, having the highest capsaicin rating.Jack Hello Jack:For a …
Capsaicin the Culprit?
Hi DaveI’m a 75 year old healthy guy who has a rare blood disorder called amyloidosis; one out of 100,000 but not a cancer. Unlike most, my strength, energy and major organs have not been affected (I continue to play tennis at my usual level) but the symptoms have centered in the vesicular area. As a retired adhesive chemist, I …
The Chinense Species
Q. Hi Dave:Do you consider the Caribbean Red Hot to be a breed of the habanero?Dave Pope A. Hello Dave:The way it works is this: the habanero is a pod type of the species Capsicum chinense, as are Caribbean Red Hots, Chocolate Habanero, Scotch bonnets, Datil peppers and a number of others.Dave
Shopping for Chiles in London
Q. Dave:We are chile fans from the UK trying to use your (and other) various books from the US. We have a couple of questions: 1. Is there any way of getting canned chipotles or other canned chillies in the UK, and if not, what is the best substitute? 2. How hot is american "chili powder" or "new Mexican chili …
Paste Substitutes for Powder
Q: Hi Dave,Great Site!! For use in chile dishes, can paste be substituted for dried (ground or rehydrated) chiles? Or is paste an inferior substitute for dried or fresh chiles? I’m specifically thinking of ancho and chipotle pastes. What about ratios? 1 tsp of ground chile = 2 tsp paste??? Thanks.Ross Elliot A. Hello Ross:Paste is an excellent substitute for …