And you'd be wrong.
Listen: Unless you know what you're getting into, leave this pepper alone. It's beyond hot and spicy. The fact it comes inside a little plastic baggies inside the grinder should be a clue - I think it's so the capsaicin won't eat thru the grinder itself while still on store shelves. It's hot. Listen: most times I've used it, I've turned the grinder only the minimum necessary and let the few small flakes fall out...and that's seemed a bit much. A quarter turn would make things downright uncomfortable...a full would be a reason to go the ER.
Such is the way of the bhut jolokia, rough translation: butt igniter. Super fiery hot. Proceed with caution. No kids. No contact with eyes. No nothing. It'll take me years to get through this...and I like to think I'm a spice aficionado. I like the ghouly grinder but in small doses, and it's far from an everyday kinda thing. Maybe I'm just getting old. But be careful, kiddos.
Bottom line: Trader Joe's Smoked Ghost Chilies Pepper Grinder: 7.5 out of 10 Golden Spoons.
I can see this being used in cheese sauces. Just a pinch. Since dairy can cut some of the spiciness down. Maybe ideal for buffalo wings just a pinch for the seasonings. Just a tiny pinch for scrambled eggs or omelets. It can replace hot sauce in recipes. Why not make pizza dough and use a pinch of that in the dough to give it a twist? Again the cheese can give some relief from the heat.
ReplyDeletePretty good idea - if not for the small kids in my house I'd try that.
DeleteFunny, I *just* made a steak with a side of corn, and put just a few flakes of this on the corn before I opened up this review. Coincidence! And yes, the corn is quite heated. :) One grinder of this is like a lifetime's supply.
ReplyDeleteVery true - didn't think of it in those terms, but you're absolutely right.
DeleteFor a milder spicy experience, I have just discovered Trader Joe's sliced jalapeno yogurt cheese. It has the richest sharpness of a sharp cheddar and the spicy bite as well as pepper flavor of jalapeno.
ReplyDeleteThink I've had that once or twice upon a time....
DeleteThis is my "Frank's"...I put this ish on everything! It is hot and doesn't take much, but man do I love it.
ReplyDeleteI have been able to handle it mixed in with my usual ketchup/hot sauce mix, though with a bit more ketchup, and less hot sauce. It was interesting mixed into yogurt, though!
ReplyDelete