Some like it hot, some hotter and some the hottest... We are talking about chillies here folks! Besides loading their food preparations with heaps of red chilli powder and countless green chillies, the extra topping on their pizzas are chilli flakes; the salads ordered at a salad bar have added jalapenos; and at a restaurant, this chilli chomping breed orders dishes from the menu that sport the sign of two chillies (extra spicy) next to it! These are just some of the traits of a certified chilli freak, isn't it?
So as an ode to these fans of chillies, we thought of taking the veneration for this spice a grade higher. We bring you some thrilling edible and non-edible renditions that will give chilli buffs new reasons to bolster their devotion for this wonder spice.
While some have mild influences, the others will have one's eyes and nose running! And we anticipate that our dear chilli lovers would experiment with these for their sheer quirkiness.
Swallow this (food) oxymoron. Utterly frozen, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth ice-cream that also gives a burning sensation, as you lick down the luscious scoop of goodness. For the ones, still guessing, chilli ice-creams are a rage all over the world. While some are singularly chilli flavoured, other variants come armed with accompaniments like ginger, cinnamon, berries, etc. Sounds inviting? And this ‘chilli-n-chill’ combination is certainly not as far-fetched as you think. As a matter of fact, you might just find this flavour resting unnoticed in your neighbourhood ice-cream parlour. Go and ask for it, or else, you can grab your tub from a shop who stocks imported ice-cream brands. How about giving it a try for its sheer idiosyncrasy?
Yes, your favourite 'fish chilli' does give your ‘burning tastes’ a lift, but that’s a preparation, like many other popular chilli delicacies. But here comes this ‘hot-stepper’ that might just make you go nah na na na nah…just like the song. This is your regular tuna-in-a-tin but mind you not added but loaded with chilli. While tinned tuna with chilli flavour is popular with many brands, there is one particular brand that even goes all out to mention it’s fire-hot level 5, and trust people who have savoured this went berserk with after-effects to the next day! This is exclusively for those, whose ‘dil mange more’ and can also handle it. Not for the faint ‘tongued’, we say!
Okay, no one ever pondered why, but chilli blended wines have been doing the rounds for a bit now, across the globe. Back home in India, those who have been sipping flavoured wine varieties like apple, peach, mango, kiwi, strawberry, to name a few, must go for this really tantalising turn in the wine tale. Interestingly, chilli wines come in a choice of red, white and rose varieties making one totally spoilt for choice. While some of the wines boast only chillies, others are coupled with other ingredients such as cherries, berries, passion fruit, peppers and many other delectable combinations. Truly a toast to chilli devotees.
This innovator took his or her passion for chillies too seriously! Split them, cut them and put them in a bathing bar. Now, we are yet to find someone who admits to having used this but, the very thought of having a soap with chillies takes eccentricity to a new level. However, we do believe that the portion of chillies is not that would give your skin some ooh-aah, but could cajole you to pick these varieties up for curiosity value. Audacious or silly, can't say.
Wine sure was a surprise, but the vodka repertoire has always been pretty extensive. Vodkas have always been mixed with other ingredients, both at the production level as well as by bartenders. So now fathom some sizzling chillies dancing in a pristine vodka glass. This we have been told by many who have tried it, tastes divine. Being termed as an out of this world concoction, this invigorating mix is apparently loved by vodka lovers, particularly women, all over the world. And with some top brands betting their horses on this spice, vodka drinkers won't be stuck for options.
This is your classic Italian Sambuca topped with chillies. You might contemplate, what’s with alcohol and chillies? Why are they so characteristically united? Well, there is no definite reasoning to this but there’s definite proof, that chillies are a preferred flavouring agent for alcohol. Like other anise-flavoured liqueurs, the ouzo effect in Sambuca is sometimes derived when combined with water. And with the come-n-go taste of chillies, it makes drinking Sambuca lot more pleasurable.
You dig in candies as much as you dote on your chillies? And if you happen to want both, this is your answer with a predictable after-effect written out loud. These jelly beans are your regular lime, pineapple, cherry, orange, apple flavours but… are loaded with habanero pepper! While the bottle says ass-kicking, we bet the kicking will start on your tongue itself. If you are a bit of a bully, then is your perfect pick for a prank.
Can eat them, how about its aroma? A certain perfume displays the image of a little chilli on its bottle and speaks of chilli pepper notes infused with others. Quite a spice ride we say. Will sniffer dogs be able to smell and tell? Let's try!
Last but not the least, this product has been around for a bit now, but the part to know is that if you dig really hard, you will find some chocolate chilli versions that would make you run for your life, due to their extra-extra chilli content. There are some handmade ones available in Europe, that you would love and hate at the same time.
So those were some unusual chilli products, we came across. Feel free to try them or add such novel ones to the list! Happy chillies till then!
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