Trinidad Scorpion chili powder is made from the famous Trinidad Scorpion, a variety native to Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. Recognizable by its distinctive shape and small pointed tip resembling a scorpion’s stinger, this chili is renowned for its extraordinary, fiery heat.

With a stated heat level of 1,400,000 Scoville heat units (SHU), this powder is aimed primarily at thrill-seekers and extreme chili enthusiasts. Just a few pinches can turn an ordinary dish into a true culinary challenge!

Packaged in a 10-gram pouch, this ultra-hot chili powder adds exceptional heat to homemade hot sauces, marinades, spicy dishes, and recipes from around the world.

Where does the Trinidad Scorpion chili come from, and how is it traditionally used?

Trinidad Scorpion originated in Trinidad and Tobago, a Caribbean archipelago off the coast of Venezuela. It belongs to the species Capsicum chinense, which includes several of the world’s hottest chilies, including Habanero, Bhut Jolokia, and Carolina Reaper.

It gets its name from its distinctive shape: its pointed tip resembles a scorpion’s stinger. This variety is especially prized by extreme chili enthusiasts for its heat and flavor profile.

Hot chilies play an important role in Caribbean cooking. They’re traditionally used to spice up sauces, marinades, meat and fish dishes, and condiments served with local food. Trinidad Scorpion is part of this tradition of intensely hot chilies, though today it’s best known for its exceptional heat and its use in artisanal hot sauces.

Is the Trinidad Scorpion chili hot?

Yes, extremely hot! At 1.4 million Scoville heat units, Trinidad Scorpion is one of the hottest chili varieties in the world.

To put its heat in perspective, here are a few comparisons:

• Jalapeño: approximately 2,500 to 8,000 SHU.
• Cayenne pepper: approximately 30,000 to 50,000 SHU.
• Habanero: approximately 100,000 to 350,000 SHU.
• Trinidad Scorpion: 1,400,000 SHU.

This powder can be several hundred times hotter than a jalapeño!

Its heat is especially intense and long-lasting. It builds quickly in the mouth and can cause a pronounced burning sensation. Use it sparingly, starting with a tiny amount.

Tip: add the powder gradually using the tip of a knife, and mix thoroughly before tasting. Avoid contact with your eyes and mucous membranes, and wash your hands thoroughly after handling.

What does cayenne pepper taste like?

Be careful not to confuse cayenne pepper with Trinidad Scorpion: they’re two different varieties with vastly different heat levels.

Cayenne pepper has a warm, slightly fruity and vegetal flavor, sometimes with earthy notes and a hint of bitterness. Its flavor is fairly straightforward and less complex than that of some chilies in the Capsicum chinense family.

Trinidad Scorpion, by contrast, has a fruitier, slightly sweet and floral flavor profile reminiscent of some Habanero chilies. But behind that first impression lies formidable heat, with an intense, lingering burning sensation.

It’s precisely this contrast between its fruity notes and extreme heat that makes Trinidad Scorpion so appealing to fans of artisanal hot sauces.

Recipe: Trinidad Scorpion Hot Honey Wings

Hot Honey Wings are especially popular with fans of American food. The idea is simple: crispy chicken wings coated in a sweet and savory honey-chili sauce. Here’s an extreme version made with our Trinidad Scorpion powder!

Ingredients for 2 to 3 people

• 600 g chicken wings
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• A tiny knife-tip amount of Trinidad Scorpion powder
• Sesame seeds and scallions for garnish

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Arrange the chicken wings on a rack and cook for 35 to 45 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, soy sauce, melted butter, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika.
3. Add a tiny amount of Trinidad Scorpion powder. Be careful: a knife-tip amount is more than enough to start with!
4. Heat gently for a few moments until the sauce is smooth.
5. Coat the chicken wings with the sauce while they’re still hot.
6. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and finely sliced scallions.

The result is crispy chicken wings with a delicious balance of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and the explosive heat of Trinidad Scorpion!

Tip: always start with a minuscule amount of powder, and taste it only after it has been thoroughly mixed into the dish. This recipe is for experienced fans of extremely hot chilies only.

How do you use Trinidad Scorpion powder?

Thanks to its exceptionally high capsaicin content, this powder is used in very small amounts. It’s ideal for:

• Homemade hot sauces: to make ultra-hot sauces with tomatoes, vinegar, fruit, or vegetables.
• Marinades: to add heat to chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp marinades.
• Mexican cooking: to turn up the heat in chili con carne, salsa, or tacos.
• Asian cooking: to add extreme heat to stir-fried noodles, curries, and chili sauces.
• Barbecue: to add character to BBQ sauces, chicken wings, and grilled meats.
• Chili oils: to make an extremely hot oil to use one drop at a time.

A tiny amount is enough: you don’t need much for a dramatic result!