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= King Naga Pepper = The King Naga Pepper, also referred to as King Chili, King Naga, Naga King Chili, King Ghost Pepper or Red King Naga is the largest variety of the Bhut Jolokia pepper species. The pepper is thought to have originated in India, being harvested mainly throughout Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam. The King Naga is closely related to the Naga Morwich, also referred to as Naga Dorset, however, the Naga Morwich differs in size, producing much smaller pods with more pronounced wrinkles. Although some other Bhut Jolokia peppers may grow to be longer, they are not as wide or as heavy as the King Naga. The Bhut Jolokia family is a crossbreed between the Capsicum chinense and Capsicum frutescens. The species is not completely stable and the exact colour of the pepper is not always consistent. However, the King Naga is recognized for its deep red colour. The fruit first starts out green, turns to a light yellow, and becomes a dark orange. After maturing further, it is picked and the seeds from the deep red pods are used for the next year's harvest. The King Naga is still in the process of stabilizing its breed and so it is the case that some seeds produce only lighter colours even at their most mature stage.

The King Naga pepper is a very volatile species of chili that can be difficult to grow if growing conditions are not adequate. Even in very hot conditions, the plant may not grow to its full potential. The germination process for the King Naga is extremely important and a poor germination process results in the plant not producing a large number of pods. In 2005, the King Naga was tested at New Mexico State University by Professor Paul Bosland, who found the pepper to measure 1,001,304 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) on the Scoville Scale. It was found through this test that the King Naga measured approximately twice as much SHU as the previous record holder, the Red Savina. Later, along with the other members of the Bhut Jolokia family, in 2007, the King Naga pepper was given the title, World's Hottest Pepper by Guinness World Records. The title was later given to the Carolina Reaper, a hybrid product created by a farmer in Carolina. However, the King Naga is still considered an extremely hot pepper and qualifies as a "superhot" pepper which is any chili that measure more than 1,000,000 SHU on the Scoville Scale.

Black Naga
After the rise in popularity of the Bhut Jolokia and King Naga in 2007, many pepper enthusiasts experimented with certain chilies, crossbreeding them to create new strains and sub-strains of chilies. In doing so, The Black Naga pepper was created. The Black Naga is a rare, genetic mutation of the King Naga and is known as the "chocolate" version of the King Naga pepper. The Black Naga resembles the King Naga in size and shape, but has a much darker outer skin and a smokier flavour. This chili is grown mainly for its different flavour and is a rare breed of the Bhut Jolokia. Just like the King Naga, the stability of this sub-strain is not certain. Some of the seeds that have been grown from previous Black Naga pods at their most mature stage, turned out to be red King Naga peppers. Many "chiliheads" seek this pepper and find it a great addition to their collection.

Health Benefits
The consumption of the King Naga pepper has been found to assist with the following:
 * 1) Fighting cancer cells
 * 2) Fighting obesity for those with weight problems, encouraging the consumption of liquids
 * 3) Producing insulin for Type One diabetics
 * 4) Fights bad cholesterol and prevents or delays heart diseases
 * 5) Providing relief from diseases like rhinitis and bronchitis by thinning and clearing mucus from stuffed noses and congested lungs.
 * 6) Protecting the stomach from the formation of ulcers
 * 7) Preventing Parkinson's Disease

Culinary
The King Naga has been known to be incorporated into numerous types of dishes around the world. It is especially favoured in south-asian curies and soups around India and Bangladesh where it is cultivated. The pepper has been known to be added to chillies, bean dishes, seafood dishes, and many sauces and chutneys.

Entertainment
The King Naga has also been used in many places in hot pepper challenges, eaten raw for a prize. On the internet, many Youtubershave incorporated the King Naga and other chili peppers into their videos to attract attention.