Bhut Jolokia and Carolina Reaper Jam

This spicy jam is the ultimate tease for hot heads who like pungent peppers. Of course you can take peppers that are lower in capsaicin, but don't disregard the pomegranate juice, it complements perfectly to the pepper taste. I usually make several of these in the late summer and then have perfect small presents for friends.

• Carolina Reaper peppers
• Bhut Jolokia peppers
• Cayenne peppers
• Pomegrenade seeds
• Pectin/ gelling sugar

The gelling sugar has a ratio of 2:1, take twice as much fruits than sugar. It makes the jam less sweet and allows for a better fruit taste. This is why I don't specify any weights, the fruits have to be trimmed, deseeded and the stems removed. I plan to use 100grams of sugar, therefor I need 200grams of fruits, any lack in weight will be filled up with juice from pomegrenade seeds and fruit vinegar.

• Hand blender
• Small canning jars
• Kitchen knife
• Cutting board
• Disposable gloves
• Safety googles

You absolutely need to prevent any exposure of your eyes to the fruit juice of the peppers. The disposable gloves are needed because even if you wash your hands several times, the capsaicin will still be there and passed on other body parts that you touch. Like, your eyes.

Desinfect the canning jars in boiling water and dry them on a spread out clean kitchen towel.

Carefully remove the stems of the peppers, cut them open and remove the seeds. Place the scraps in a plastic bag which you tie before you throw it in the dustbin. Use the hand blender to make a smooth paste from the peppers.

Once you got all peppers prepared, fill the gap to 200grams with juice or vinegar from the pomegranates. Weigh 100grams of the sugar and fill everything into a saucepan.

Bring everything to a boil in a saucepan, stir for 3 to 5 minutes and then remove from heat. Fill into the small canning jars and close the lids.

The jam should be stored in a cold and dark place, but thanks to a combination of gelling sugar, vinegar and capsaicin, the jam will last for a very long time. It is very hot and you should not play games with people who are not used to it. In fact the pain can induce such a high release of dopamine that hallucinations might occur. But if you are used to extremely hot peppers, then you will like this jam.