Indian military plans to use world's hottest pepper in weapons
If you did not know, Scoville units are a universally accepted measure of chili hotness; the Indian bhut jolokia, from the Assam region, is by far the world’s hottest pepper; researchers at the University of Mexico found that the bhut jolokia reached over one million Scoville heat units (SHUs); the world’s next hottest pepper, the Red Savina Habenero, clocks in at a tame 577,000 Scoville units; the Indian Army is planning to use the bhut jolokia in stun grenades
The military in India is looking to weaponize the world’s hottest chili, the bhut jolokia or “ghost pepper,” according to a number of news reports.
The Bhut Jolokia chili pepper from Assam, India is no ordinary pepper. NetworkWorld’s Michael Cooney writes that in tests first conducted by the New Mexico State University in 2008 and subsequently confirmed by Guinness World records and others, the bhut jolokia reached over one million Scoville heat units (SHUs), while the next hottest, the Red Savina Habenero, clocks in at a mere 577,000. Scoville units are a universally accepted measure of chili hotness.
Cooney notes that this is not just hot, this is ferocious fry-your-brains hot. The pepper’s name translates into the “ghost pepper” either because if you eat a whole one you become a ghost or the brutal heat drives all the color out of your system.
In fact, Indian farmers say Bhut paste can be used for everything from sauces to tear gas. Therein lies the military’s interest.
According to a BBC report:: In addition to being used for controlling mobs — in a similar way to pepper spray — and protecting women, bhut jolokia chilies can be used as a food additive for troops operating in cold conditions. They have also been used on fences around army barracks in the hope that the strong smell will keep out animals. Scientists say the chili’s primary purpose will be as a stun grenade against suspected insurgents.
According to the SIFY news site: When deployed, the grenade showers the targets with a dust so spicy that in trials subjects were blinded for hours and left with breathing problems.
