Dorset Naga

The Dorset Naga is one of the hottest chillies in the world, capable of reaching a million Scovilles and more. On average 544,000–1,221,000 SHU, but the BBC Gardener’s World had a single fruit measured at 1,598,277 SHU. Scoville heat testing in the USA revealed a range of heat levels, the highest at the time was 876,000 SHU.

The scorching heat of the fruit is combined with a distinctive fruity aroma, making this a truly exceptional chile. Fruits ripen from green to red, and may be harvested at either stage of maturity. Typically about  1” x 2” in size (30 x 50mm). May be smaller when grown in pots.

The Dorset Naga controversy:  Joy and Michael Michaud of Sea Spring Seeds, growers on the Dorset coast of England, first introduced the Dorset Naga to the world. They started with the Naga Morich, already well known to England’s Bangladeshi community. From the Naga Morich they selectively saved seeds from the best plants and pods and after a number of years were happy with the result, and named it the Dorset Naga.

While the Michaud’s claimed their breeding was enough to make this a new pepper, some people suggested that without any crossing of varieties, the pepper was no different to the original Naga Morich.