This is a great new variant variety made in house with a cross if 7-pot evergreen and Bhut jolokia mustard. Pods get a slight yellow but for the most part they start out dark green and ripen to liter green. They have good ghost heat and great aroma and flavor. 

Capsicum Chinense 

SHU 1,000,000 plus 

APS GREEN GHOST - The Unripe Inferno

**Basic Info**  

Species: *Capsicum chinense*  

Origin: Global cultivation  

Heat: Super-Hot (800,000-1,000,000 SHU when green)  

Type: Green/unripe ghost pepper variety  

**Story**  

The APS Green Ghost represents a unique harvesting approach to the legendary ghost pepper - capturing the pods at their green stage before they transition to the classic red color. While most ghost pepper varieties are harvested when fully ripe and red, the green variant offers a different culinary experience with its own distinct characteristics.  

When ghost peppers are harvested green, they retain the same extreme heat levels as their red counterparts (800k-1M SHU), but the flavor profile is noticeably different. The green pods have a more vegetal, earthy quality with less of the fruity sweetness that develops during full ripening. This makes them particularly suitable for applications where a more aggressive, less sweet heat is desired.  

Historically, harvesting peppers at the green stage is common in many culinary traditions where the vegetable-like quality is preferred over the sweet fruit character. For the ghost pepper, this means the heat is still present in full force, but the flavor is more straightforward and less complex than the ripe red version.  

In culinary use, green ghosts are excellent for pickling, as the thick walls hold up well to brining while maintaining their extreme heat. They're also suitable for fresh use in dishes where the green color is desired for visual appeal. The heat profile remains classic ghost pepper - a slow-building burn that lingers for minutes, providing an all-encompassing sensation.  

For gardeners, the green ghost offers flexibility in harvesting. Rather than waiting for full ripening, pods can be harvested earlier when they reach full size, allowing for multiple harvests throughout the season. This can extend the productive window and provide a steady supply of fresh peppers for processing.  

**Plant**  

Medium to large (3-4 feet), bushy, typical *chinense* growth.  

**Pods**  

2-3 inches long, deep green when harvested, classic ghost shape.  

**Flavor**  

Vegetal, earthy with extreme heat, less fruity than red.  

**Kitchen**  

Pickling, fresh use, hot sauces.  

**Growing Tips**  

- 90-110 days to maturity  

- Full sun (8+ hours)  

- Warm climate, zones 10-11  

- Well-draining soil, consistent watering  

**Culinary Uses**  

- Pickled green ghosts  

- Fresh in spicy dishes  

- Hot sauce production  

**Common Questions**  

Q: Are green ghosts as hot as red?  

A: Yes, similar heat levels (800k-1M SHU).  

Q: Why harvest green?  

A: For vegetal flavor and earlier harvest timing.  

Q: Can they ripen to red?  

A: Yes, if left on vine they'll turn red and sweeter.  

Q: Best use?  

A: Pickling or fresh applications where green color desired.