That's a very interesting take, and a wonderful metaphor with the roses. I think as with all trends, market demand will ebb and flow. There will always be folks that are interested in the extremes, mainly to say they've experience something. But you're right. The bulk of staying power comes with the ability to find a niche that's memorable and generally enjoyed enough to find a larger, more constant audience. And I agree that taste, not heat, is what the vast majority of folks are looking for.
Exactly - I read somewhere that "superhots" are primarily grown for LTL weaponization - pepper spray, capsaicin powder paint balls, etc. and that as a condiment it represents about ~4% of the market, whereas something like Tapatio or Sriracha or Franks red-hot is the ~96%
You're right - there's always going to be a fascination with the extreme. But look at the brilliant color/shape of AJ's pepper above! And like he said, it's already slightly too hot.
I love the citrus undertones of the habanero & the crisp fresh taste of the jalapeño - subtleties I think you lose with the superhots. Nearly every post I've seen at THP about superhots says they taste bloody awful.
Maybe I'm biased because I look at peppers as food? Hmm
Anyway, nothing against the achievement, really - I applaud the effort. But I wish as much effort was being spent on flavor. Hard to get a military contract for that though I'm guessing.
They actually taste pretty good in my opinion. They have more of a standard chinense flavor than the bhuts/nagas so they're easier to incorporate into food for me. The only super hot that I've had that I think tastes nasty is the yellow 7 pod, and it's not really a true superhot anyway.
Good to know! You've actually tasted this specific pepper?
You're among the 1st I've heard talk about these as tasting good.
Again - not disparaging 'em. Just think once you get over "X" million scovies it's enough already.
Plus this thing isn't the hottest until I see Ted the Fire Breathing Idiot eat a handful & tell me it is. This should be the new testing standard IMO.