absolutelyBangkok archive · Food & Drink
Originally published March 19, 2009
An insurance salesman in Bangkok once told me that most Thai health insurances exclude kidney diseases — as kidney ailments are a common disease among Thai people due to the spicy, salty food. Thai food takes pride in its hotness, said to be not only healthy, but good for your stamina and everything.
But even the most atomic of Thailand’s atomic chilis called phrik khii nuu — literally “mouse shit chili” — is as mild as a glass of milk compared to “Blair’s 16 Million Reserve” — a beautifully crafted little bottle containing the world’s spiciest spice: pure capsaicin crystals, easily taking out the most chili-hardened Thai.
Pure capsaicin contains 16 million
Scoville heat units, the industry’s standard for measuring a pepper’s punch- while Tobasco has some 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville and the hottest fresh Thai chili reaches 350,000 Scoville. The world’s hottest chili is some paltry 855,000 Scoville units. Pure fire, but if you like it reeeally hot:
Get a flask of the death sauce. Adds zest to anything. The tiny 1ml vial inside contains pure capsicum crystals, hottest chili powder known to man. Surprise your Thai friends! They’ll love you hothead.
And run. Only 999 bottles sold. Maybe they got one left here. But, warns the producer, avoid eye and skin contact when cooking. Wear eye protection and gloves.
And use tweezers. You don’t want to end up with two crystals in that sauce.
Blair’s 16 Million compares to tabasco the way a bottle rocket compares to Nagasaki, the New York Post wrote.
And sure thing we’d like to publish the story of your first Blair’s 16 Million Reserve dish! Just include pictures.
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