Feeling the afterglow of chilli event (+ video)

Dunedin Chilli eating champs at Re:Fuel Cafe and Bar. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Dunedin Chilli eating champs at Re:Fuel Cafe and Bar. Photo by Linda Robertson.

It doesn't matter what they tell you, nothing can prepare you for eating a chilli registering about 2 million on the Scoville Heat Unit (shu) scale.

"It's like eating Lucifer's undies,'' Dunedin Chilli Eating Championships co-ordinator Stu Dreaver said.

• Slidehow here 

The fare in the regional chilli-eating competition ranged from sweet bell peppers which were a mild 3000shu, up to Brazilian Ghosts of about 2 million shu.

Halfway through the torturous challenge, most of the 21 competitors at the Re:Fuel Cafe and Bar last night were left in the foetal position or vomiting.

After eating a teaspoonful of a 1.9million shu sauce made especially for the championships, Balclutha resident and competitor Marty Penn said he could hear Johnny Cash's song Ring of Fire running through his head.

"That's unbelievably hot.''

The overwhelming effects of eating chillies are caused by the chemical capsaicin, which is a neurotoxin found in chilli.

In large enough concentrations, it can cause seizures, heart attacks and even death.

The hottest chilli in the world, according to the Guiness World Records, is Smokin' Ed's Carolina Reaper, grown by The PuckerButt Pepper Company in the United States, which rates up to 2.2 million shu.

Fortunately, none were on the menu last night.

Too dangerous.

The eventual winner was a hot and sweaty Jonathan Smith, of Dunedin.

He will now represent the region in the national final of the New Zealand Chilli Eating Championships in Auckland next month.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement