HotPepperIndex
Capsicum chinense

Chocolate Bhutlah

United States (Wisconsin)
Superhot
Also known asChocolate Bhutlah Pepper · Bhutlah Chocolate · Chocolate Bhutlah
Scoville
0SHU
Heat0%
1.50M–2.00M SHU · PepperScale, Chili Pepper Madness, PepperGeek

The Chocolate Bhutlah is a superhot hybrid chili pepper developed in Wisconsin, USA, from a cross between the Bhut Jolokia (ghost pepper) and the 7 Pot Douglah. It boasts extreme heat levels of 1.5 to 2 million Scoville units with a distinctive sweet, fruity, earthy, and smoky flavor. Its deep chocolate-brown, wrinkled pods set it apart among the world's hottest peppers.

The Chocolate Bhutlah pepper is a potent hybrid cultivar of Capsicum chinense known for its blistering heat and complex flavor profile that combines sweetness with earthy undertones. Developed in the United States by breeder Chad Soleski in Wisconsin through a cross of the Bhut Jolokia and 7 Pot Douglah, it features elongated pods measuring 2 to 3 inches in length with a teardrop or cone shape, pointed tips, and heavily wrinkled skin. The pods ripen from light green to a rich, earthy chocolate brown. Flavor begins with sweet, fruity, and floral notes accented by smokiness and mild bitterness, but this is rapidly overtaken by intense capsaicin heat that builds quickly and lingers, often numbing the palate. Gardeners value its vigorous growth, producing tall plants up to 5 feet that thrive in warm conditions over a long season. In culinary applications, the Chocolate Bhutlah shines in hot sauces, salsas, soups, stews, and powdered forms, where even a tiny amount delivers powerful spice and depth—always handle with extreme caution using gloves. Its heritage makes it a favorite among superhot enthusiasts seeking unique chocolate-colored varieties with ghost pepper intensity.

Gallery

No photos of Chocolate Bhutlah here yet. Got one? Share it with us.

Backstory

The Chocolate Bhutlah originated in Wisconsin, USA, where Chad Soleski crossed the Bhut Jolokia (ghost pepper) with the 7 Pot Douglah to create this hybrid. Its name reflects the 'Bhut' from ghost and 'lah' from Douglah. Some accounts mention further refinement, leading to a somewhat murky but stable superhot lineage prized for its chocolate color and intense heat.

Promoted products

Promote a product tied to Chocolate Bhutlah? This slot is open.

Reach out →

Flavor

Initial sweet and fruity notes with floral and smoky undertones, accompanied by mild bitterness and earthiness typical of chocolate pepper varieties; the complex flavor is quickly dominated by extreme heat.

sweetfruityearthysmokyfloralbitter

Culinary uses

hot saucessalsassoupsstewschili powdersflakes

Q&A

Substitutions

Carolina ReaperTrinidad Moruga ScorpionKomodo Dragon

Related variants

Appearance

Size
2-3 inches long
Color
Light green ripening to deep chocolate brown
Notes
Average pod size for superhot chinense; larger than many 7 Pot varieties
Shape
Elongated teardrop or cone-shaped with pointed tip
Texture
Wrinkled and folded skin

Growing

Sun
Full sun, 8-10 hours daily
Soil
Well-draining, fertile, rich in organic matter, pH 6.0-7.0
Notes
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Similar to growing ghost peppers; long season required. Protect from frost and pests.
Water
Regular watering to keep soil moist but not waterlogged; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
Harvest
Cut pods when fully ripe brown; 90-120 days to maturity from transplant
Plant height
3-5 feet tall, vigorous growth
Days to maturity
90-150 days depending on conditions

Nutrition

Notes
Specific nutritional data limited; general benefits apply to superhot Capsicum chinense varieties
Capsaicin
High content linked to metabolism boost, pain relief, and anti-inflammatory effects
Vitamin C
High levels typical of chili peppers, supporting immune health
Vitamin E
Antioxidant properties
Beta carotene
Rich source convertible to vitamin A for eye health

Origin detail

Region
Wisconsin, United States
Country
United States
Breeder
Chad Soleski

Tags

superhothybridchocolatewisconsinghost pepper7 pot douglah

Sources

Huge shout-out to the breeders, growers, researchers, and seed savers linked below — their independent work is what lets us fact-check our own. Go visit them.

These references are used to verify what we publish — not as the source of the content itself. Seed catalogs, breeder pages, research papers, and cultivar databases let us cross-check every fact before it lands here. Open any card to read the original or dig deeper.

3 sources · 8 searches · Added May 13, 2026, 21:25 UTC
Origins
A World of Capsicum
Peppers and their homelands. Tap a marker.
221 / 225