Džem The Chilli Jam Man Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)

I ate a spoonful straight from the jar to test my courage, and the burn crept up slowly before hitting hard—the kind that makes your ears ring. That deep, creeping heat is exactly what the description promises, and it's surprisingly fruity underneath the fire. Worth every bit of the signed waiver.

One spoonful on my morning toast and I felt like I'd just signed that waiver — the heat creeps from the back of my throat for a full ten minutes, but the fruity sweetness underneath keeps me coming back. The jar's small but a little goes a long way; I've barely dented it in two weeks.

The heat builds slowly, then lands like a sledgehammer on the back of the throat—nothing like the instant burn of a regular chili jam. I've been adding a tiny spoonful to melted butter for cornbread and it's the perfect sweet-and-sweaty balance.