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Most habaneros rate 200,000–300,000 Scoville heat units (SHU), with the Guinness Book of Records recognizing the Red Savinas variety, developed by GNS Spices of Southern California, as the "World's Hottest Spice" at 580,000 SHU. For comparison, a Cayenne pepper is typically 30,000 to 50,000 SHU while police grade pepper spray rates 5,300,000 SHU.
Habaneros are believed to originate in Cuba, and were later introduced to the Yucatan peninsula where roughly 1,500 tons are harvested annually. Other producers include Belize, Costa RicaThe Republic of Costa Rica is a republic of Central America. Remarkably for the region, Costa Rica has stood as a bastion of stability and democracy since the minor civil war of the late 1940s that brought President Jose Figueres Ferrer to power. In fact, and some USThe United States of America also referred to as the United States U. America ¹ or the States is a federal republic in central North America, stretching from the Atlantic in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. It shares land borders with Canada in states including TexasTexas joined the United States of America as its 28th member state in 1845. It has the postal abbreviation TX . The state name derives from a word in a Caddoan language of the Hasinai, tejas meaning friends or allies Spanish explorers mistakenly applied t, IdahoIdaho ( In Detail) (Full size) State nickname: Gem State Other U. States Capital Boise Largest City Boise Governor Dirk Kempthorne Area Total Land Water % water Ranked 14th 216,632 km²214,499 km² 2,133 km²1% Population Total ( 2000) Density Ranked 39th1,2 and California.
Many people assume that the Scotch bonnetThe Scotch bonnet Capsicum chinense is a variety of chile, similar to, and of the same species as, the habanero. It is found mainly in the Caribbean islands, with a shape resembling a Scot's bonnet. Most Scotch bonnets have a heat rating of 150,000 325,00 is another name for the habanero, but they are two varieties of the same species. They have similar heat level and flavor; the most notable difference is the shape. The habanero is a cultivarA cultivar is a cultivated variety of a plant species. Modern cultivars are often, but not necessarily, hybrids between species; they may equally well represent particularly desirable selections from populations of a single species. Cultivars generally ar; the Scotch bonnet a true variety.
The habanero's heat and delicate fruity, citrusSpecies ''Citrus maxima Pomelo Citrus medica Citron Citrus reticulata Mandarin & Tangerine Major hybrids ''Citrus x aurantifolia Lime Citrus x aurantium Bitter orange Citrus x bergamia Bergamot Citrus x hystrix Kaffir lime Citrus x ichangensis Ichang lemo-like flavor makes it a popular ingredient in the hotter hot sauces and spiciest foods. McIlhenny Co. offers a Habanero version of their popular Tabasco sauce at 7,000 to 8,000 SHU, making it the spiciest sauce they offer. Other sauces include Dave's Insanity sauce (80,000+ SHU) from Dave's Gourmet, Inc. and The Source (7,100,000 SHU) from Original Juan Specialty Foods.
The word habanero is sometimes spelled (incorrectly) as "habañero", probably via association with jalapeño.