Armageddon Chilli

The world's first F1 hybrid superhot, bred by Tozer Seeds over five years and first grown commercially by Salvatore Genovese in Bedfordshire, launched with some fanfare in 2019. The hybrid part is what matters to a grower. The older superhots are open-pollinated and can be slow, uneven and temperamental from plant to plant. This one was bred for vigour and consistency, and it ripens up to a fortnight ahead of its rivals, which counts for a great deal in a short British summer.

The heat is not a compromise. Around 1,300,000 Scoville units, roughly four hundred times a jalapeno, and the hottest British-bred chilli grown commercially. The pods are medium-sized, crumpled in the usual superhot fashion, ripening green to a vivid red, and behind the burn is a decent fruity flavour with a citrus tang and a little smoke. The heat builds slowly and then keeps going.

Being an F1, seed saved from your own fruits will not come true. The vigour comes from the controlled cross, so it is fresh seed each season if you want the same plant. Of all the superhots this is the one most likely to reward a first attempt. Wear gloves and eye protection when picking and processing the fruit.