Superhot peppers—like the Carolina Reaper, Death Spiral, or JP Piranha—aren’t your average jalapeños. They pack a millions of Scoville Heat Units (SHU) and demand respect in the kitchen and the garden. At HellFire Farms, we work with these peppers every day, and we’ve learned that a few smart precautions make all the difference between enjoying the burn and regretting it.
1. Always Wear Gloves
Capsaicin—the chemical that makes peppers hot—soaks into your skin and doesn’t wash off easily. Nitrile gloves are best since they resist oils better than latex. Even one missed spot can leave your hands tingling for hours.
2. Protect Your Eyes and Face
Never touch your face while handling peppers. Rubbing your eye (or worse, your contact lens) after touching a Reaper can feel like fire. Safety glasses or even kitchen goggles aren’t overkill if you’re chopping a big batch.
3. Ventilate Your Kitchen
When cooking or dehydrating superhots, the fumes alone can sting your throat and eyes. Open a window, turn on fans, or use an outdoor dehydrator if possible. Pepper dust is no joke.
4. Know How to Neutralize the Burn
Water spreads capsaicin—it won’t help much. Instead:
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On skin: Use rubbing alcohol or oil first, then wash with soap.
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In mouth: Dairy (milk, yogurt, sour cream) works best. Sugar or starchy foods can also help calm the burn.
5. Store with Care
Keep powders and dried peppers in airtight containers, labeled clearly. A friend mistaking Reaper powder for paprika can turn a recipe into a disaster fast.
Respect the Pepper 🌶️
Superhots are intense, but they’re also beautiful, flavorful, and rewarding to use in cooking. By taking a few safety precautions, you can focus on enjoying their unique taste instead of battling accidental burns.
At HellFire Farms, we grow, dry, and process our peppers carefully so you can experience their heat safely at home. Check out our Etsy shop for powders, seeds, and pods—and bring the fire into your kitchen, the safe way.
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