There's a New World Record for Most Ghost Peppers Eaten in a Minute

Mike Pomranz
·2 min read
Bhut Jolokia peppers
Bhut Jolokia peppers

Getty Images

The annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is the most high-profile eating competition in the world. And as the most coveted title, the world record for most hot dogs in ten minutes is wildly impressive: 76 dogs held by Joey Chestnut.

But an argument could be made that hot dogs are one dimensional – a battle of volume – whereas chili peppers require not only eating speed, but also spice tolerance. And so, depending on where you fall in that debate, you may actually find Gregory Foster's recent ghost pepper eating world record even more mind-blowing.

Earlier this month, Guinness World Records announced that they had certified Foster's record for most Bhut Jolokia chili peppers (aka ghost peppers) eaten in one minute, and video of the attempt, which took place on November 14, 2021, finally landed on YouTube this week.

The California resident downed 17 peppers in total, equal to 110.50 grams (or 3.98 ounces), which bested the previous record of 97 grams (or 3.42 ounces) set by Mike Jack in London, Ontario, on March 2, 2019.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0PyvFEngrE

This latest world record is actually Foster's third, and the second one we've covered this year. Foster also holds the record for fastest time to eat three Carolina Reaper chillies – 8.72 seconds – which we wrote about back in June, as well as the title for most Carolina Reaper chillies eaten in one minute – 120 grams (or 4.23 ounce) – which he broke back in 2017.

Foster told Guinness World Records he has spent decades building up his spice tolerance, allowing him to down ghost peppers that can register over one million Scoville heat units on the official scale of spiciness. (By comparison, jalapeños tend to score in the thousands on the same scale.)

"This record attempt is a personal challenge to see how far I can push myself and my love of the super hot peppers," he said after his most recent accomplishment. "As a chili lover, I've been trying to advance the awareness and the excitement surrounding the super-hot chilis out there. This attempt was solely a personal endeavor to achieve another Guinness World Record alongside my currently standing [ones]. I love chili eating and pushing myself."

Setting records also seems like a good way to promote his craft hot sauce brand, Inferno Farms.