A "Zing" pepper is an extremely hot hybrid chili pepper, known for its red, bumpy skin, stubby tails, and intense, "brutal" heat, with some sources estimating its Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) rating to be over 1.5 million, comparable to or even exceeding a Carolina Reaper. It offers a sweet and fruity flavor followed by a strong, smoky, and earthy heat, and is often grown in Northern climates.
Appearance
- Size: Pods are typically medium-sized, around 2-3 inches long.
- Color: They ripen from green to a vibrant red.
- Texture: The peppers have a gnarly, bumpy, and wrinkled exterior with stubby tails.
Heat Level & Flavor
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Extreme Heat:Zing peppers are considered super-hot, with an estimated SHU ranging from 1.5 to over 2.2 million, making them as hot as, or hotter than, the Carolina Reaper.
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Flavor Profile:The initial flavor is often described as sweet and fruity, which then transitions to a more floral, smoky, and earthy taste with a brutally intense heat that builds over time.
Growth & Origin
- Origin: The Zing pepper originated in Michigan, USA.
- Characteristics: Plants are known to be heavy producers, grow tall, and can thrive in full sun and Northern climates.
These seeds were harvested from plants grown in a controlled environment and isolation to preserve genetics.