Infinity Chili – All about Heat, Flavor, Uses, Substitutes

What is Infinity Chili pepper?

The Infinity Chili, developed in the UK by Nick Woods, is a noteworthy pepper that briefly held the world’s hottest chili title in 2011. This Capsicum chinense variety is renowned not only for its intense heat, exceeding one million SHU but also for its rich and complex flavor profile. The Infinity Chili’s distinct taste and potency make it a favorite for crafting fiery hot sauces and chili powders, reflecting its culinary versatility and appeal among spicy food enthusiasts.

	Infinity chili
SHU	1,067,286 - 1,250,000
Median SHU	1,158,643
Flavor	Very hot, fruity, sweet
Species	Capsicum chinense
Origin	England
Uses	Hot sauces, spice mixes

Are Infinity Chili peppers spicy? How hot are they?

Infinity Chili scoville: 1,067,286 to 1,250,000 SHU

The Infinity Chili is renowned for its extraordinary heat level, reaching 1,067,286 to 1,250,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This staggering heat far surpasses the common jalapeño, which typically ranges from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU, and even exceeds the habanero, known for its spiciness, with a rating between 100,000 and 350,000 SHU.

The pepper’s incredible heat is a hallmark of its status in the chili world, making it a favorite among those who appreciate spicy foods. Despite its intense spiciness, the Infinity Chili is also valued for its complex flavor, contributing a unique depth to various dishes. This combination of extreme heat and rich flavor profile makes it a sought-after ingredient for culinary enthusiasts and gardeners alike, particularly those who enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of cooking with superhot peppers.

🗺️ ORIGIN AND HISTORY

Where does the Infinity Chili come from?

The Infinity Chili pepper has its roots in the United Kingdom, where chili breeder Nick Woods developed it. Woods, the owner of Fire Foods in Grantham, Lincolnshire, inadvertently created this pepper in his quest for unique flavors and heat for his hot sauces.

The discovery of the Infinity Chili was not a deliberate breeding exercise but rather a fortunate accident in his greenhouse, where crossbreeding between chili varieties occurs naturally. This unexpected result of chili cultivation showcases the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of pepper breeding.

The Infinity Chili’s rise to fame for its brief period as the world’s hottest chili highlights the UK’s contribution to the global chili community and its ongoing pursuit of new, extreme flavors in the world of superhot chilies.

The pepper’s origin story adds to its allure, making it a subject of interest for both gardeners and culinary enthusiasts who are fascinated by the heritage and evolution of hot peppers.

🌶️ USES

What are Infinity Chili peppers good for? How to use them?

The Infinity Chili pepper, renowned for its extraordinary heat, is predominantly used in making super-hot sauces, chili oil, whip-up salsa, spicy salads, and sweet and spicy bacon.

Due to its extreme heat, it’s not typically used in regular cooking. Instead, it’s more common to use the Infinity Chili in dishes that require a significant heat boost, like pickles, dry peppers, chili powder, chili jam, guacamole, chili poppers, and more.

When handling this super-hot pepper, it’s crucial to wear kitchen gloves and goggles to prevent chili burns. The pepper’s dense chili oil can even sting upon mere touch, so avoid touching your eyes and nose after handling the pepper.

The Infinity Chili pepper’s versatility in cooking is matched by its intense heat, making it a sought-after ingredient for those who crave extreme spiciness in their culinary creations. Its use extends beyond just adding heat; it also imparts a unique flavor to dishes, making it a valuable ingredient in the culinary world, especially for adventurous cooks and chili lovers.

✨ APPEARANCE AND TASTE

What does an Infinity Chili pepper look like?

The Infinity Chili pepper presents a distinctive appearance. It has a bulbous and habanero-like shape, often resembling a tiny golf ball with a pointy tail.

These peppers typically measure 1-2 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter. They showcase a wrinkled, rough texture, possibly serving as a natural warning for the extreme heat they hold.

Their color shifts from green to a vibrant, scorching red as they mature, further accentuating their fiery nature.

What does Infinity Chili pepper taste like?

In terms of flavor, the Infinity Chili is a complex blend of intense heat and nuanced taste. Initially, a noticeable layer of fruitiness offers a sweet, somewhat citrusy undertone. However, the chili’s signature scorching heat quickly overtakes this initial flavor.

The heat is a slow burn, not immediate but gradually building up to a powerful intensity that lingers for a long time. This combination of sweet, fruity notes with a formidable heat level makes the Infinity Chili a unique and challenging ingredient in the culinary world​.

🧑‍🌾 GROWING – GARDENING

How to grow Infinity Chili peppers?

Growing Infinity Chili peppers offers a fascinating and rewarding journey for gardening enthusiasts. These peppers, which thrive best in warm climates, necessitate a sunny environment to reach their full potential. Well-drained soil is a must to ensure healthy development, as it helps prevent root rot. Regular and consistent watering is critical in maintaining the soil’s moisture levels, yet avoiding waterlogging is essential.

In addition to these conditions, the Infinity Chili benefits greatly from a nutrient-rich soil mix. This can be achieved by adding organic compost or fertilizers, which provide essential nutrients for robust growth. Such careful attention to the growing conditions is critical to a successful harvest.

When to pick Infinity Chili peppers?

When picking the Infinity Chili peppers, timing is crucial for achieving the perfect harmony of flavor and heat. Generally, these peppers take about 100 to 110 days from planting to mature fully.

The ideal harvesting time is when they have developed their full color, and the peppers feel firm to the touch with a deep, consistent coloration. Monitoring the peppers’ development is important, as the correct harvesting time ensures the best taste and heat level.

Growing Infinity Chili peppers requires patience and attention to detail. Still, the result is a bounty of fiery, flavorful peppers that can add a unique dimension to various dishes.

👨‍🍳 COOKING – RECIPES

Cooking / Recipe ideas for Infinity Chili

Cooking with the Infinity Chili pepper, known for its scorching heat, opens up new culinary adventures for those who dare. With over one million Scoville Heat Units, this superhot chili is ideal for crafting dishes that stand out for their intense spiciness.

A popular use of the Infinity Chili is in making super hot sauces. These sauces, leveraging the chili’s fiery heat and fruity undertones, can elevate any meal, adding a dimension of heat not for the faint-hearted. The versatility of the Infinity Chili also extends to curries and soups, where even a small amount of the chili, used in its powdered form, can drastically increase the heat, transforming these dishes into a memorable spicy experience.

For those who enjoy grilled or roasted meats, the Infinity Chili can be a game-changer when used in marinades. Mixing the pepper with herbs, spices, and citrus juices creates a marinade that imparts a deep, spicy flavor, perfect for enhancing the natural taste of meats.

Similarly, adding this chili to salsas and guacamoles instead of more traditional, milder chilies can create flavorful and intensely hot dips.

The Infinity Chili also finds its way into pickling, adding an extremely spicy kick to pickled vegetables. Balancing the heat with sugar can make pickles more palatable while retaining the chili’s characteristic heat when creating pickles with this chili.

Given its intense spiciness, using the Infinity Chili in moderation is important. A little goes a long way with this chili; its dense chili oil means it should be handled carefully to avoid skin irritation. Wearing kitchen gloves and protective eyewear is recommended when handling this chili.

🛒 WHERE TO BUY

Where can I buy Infinity Chili peppers?

Infinity Chili peppers are rare and may not be readily found in local supermarkets and grocery stores. They are typically available through specialty stores catering to chili enthusiasts or online retailers specializing in rare and superhot chili varieties.

Where can I buy InfinityChili pepper plants?

It’s less common to find Infinity Chili plants for sale. For those looking to grow these peppers, starting from seeds might be a more viable option. However, it’s worth checking with specialized nurseries or online stores focusing on rare or exotic plants.

Where can I buy InfinityChili pepper seeds?

Seeds for Infinity Chili peppers are more accessible and can be purchased online. These seeds can be sown indoors in nutrient-rich, well-drained soils and require optimum moisture for germination. Once sprouted, the plants can be transferred to pots or containers and eventually moved outdoors.

🫙 HOW TO STORE

How do I store Infinity Chili pepper?

For short-term storage, keep the Infinity Chili peppers in a plastic bag or an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator, preferably in the crisper drawer. This method helps to preserve their freshness for a few days.

If you’ve chopped the peppers, storing them in a sealed container or bag with a small paper towel can help keep them dry and fresh.

It’s important to avoid washing the peppers before storing them in the fridge, as moisture can accelerate the rotting process.

Can Infinity Chili peppers be frozen?

Freezing is a practical choice for long-term storage of Infinity Chili peppers. Depending on your future usage plans, you can freeze the peppers whole or cut them into pieces.

The process is simple: wash, dry, and remove the stems of the peppers, then place them in freezer bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing.

Frozen peppers can last up to a year, retaining most of their flavor, heat, and nutritional value. When ready to use, they can be added directly to your cooking without thawing.

❤️‍🩹 HEALTH BENEFITS

Are Infinity Chili peppers healthy?

Infinity Chili peppers offer several health benefits, much like other chili peppers. They are a good source of capsaicin, known for its digestive health and metabolism-boosting properties. Capsaicin is also recognized for its potential in alleviating migraines and relieving joint pain.

Furthermore, these peppers contain essential nutrients like vitamins A and C, which may support cardiovascular health, fight inflammation, and boost immunity.

However, due to their extreme spiciness, they should be consumed in moderation, particularly by those sensitive to spicy foods or prone to gastrointestinal discomfort.

🔄 ALTERNATIVES AND SUBSTITUTES

What’s a suitable alternative to Infinity Chili pepper?

Finding a suitable alternative to the Infinity Chili pepper, one of the world’s hottest chilies, requires peppers with a similar heat level and flavor profile. The Bhut Jolokia, also known as the ghost pepper, and the Naga Viper are excellent substitutes. Both of these peppers are comparable in their Scoville heat units, offering a similar level of heat intensity that the Infinity Chili is known for.

Another option is the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, which is hotter than the Infinity Chili but can be an excellent alternative for those seeking a hotter, fiery experience. This pepper is renowned for its intense heat and fruity undertones, much like the Infinity Chili.

For those who prefer a more manageable level of spiciness but still desire the fruity notes of the Infinity Chili, habanero peppers are a suitable choice. While they share a similar flavor profile with the Infinity Chili, habaneros are significantly milder, with a heat rating of 100,000-350,000 SHU.

Jalapeño peppers, known for their moderate spiciness, are another milder alternative. They are suitable for a broader audience and can be used in various dishes, including salsas, dips, or stuffed with various fillings.

Serrano peppers are a good alternative for those looking for a bit more heat than jalapeños but still less intense than habaneros or Scotch Bonnets. Serranos are versatile in culinary uses, fitting well in salsas, sauces, and pickling recipes.

These alternatives offer a range of heat levels and flavors, allowing for customization according to different preferences while still capturing the essence of spicy cuisine. When handling hot peppers, precautions such as wearing gloves are recommended to prevent irritation.

How do you pronounce Infinity Chili peppers?

The Infinity Chili pepper is pronounced as In-fin-it-ee Chil-ee Pep-per.

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