Mount Bhut Jolokia

Just as soon as Bhut Jolokia is identified as the hottest chile in the world, someone steps forth to conquer it.

Guwahati, India - A woman from India's north eastern state of Assam is hoping to set a world record by eating a maximum amount of chilies in the least time. If successful, Anandita Dutta Tamuly will also be the world's first person to eat a massive quantity of the world's hottest peppers.

Tamuly is extremely confident of besting the pepper, because she's an experienced summiter already.

"I have created history on Indian television by munching 60 of the chilies in two minutes. I am more than confident of creating a record once I reach London."

"I have been eating Bhut Jolokia since my childhood and never felt the hotness in my mouth. I can even break the chilli and splash it on my eyes. I tried this on TV and had no problems whatsoever."

The Assam government will pay for her trip to set the record. The previous world record appears to be 8 jalapenos in a minute, a pretty small bump compared to 60 Bhut Jolokias and a little Bhut Jolokia eyewash.

One consequence of the chile's new fame is its price is climbing.

"We never thought Bhut Jolokia was so hot until news came in that this is the world's hottest chilli. Now we have hiked the prices by Rs.50 a kg and people are buying it like hot cakes," said Nalini Ram Thakuria, a vegetable vendor in Guwahati.

Note: In New Mexico, it's spelled "chile," not "chili."

Tags: Chile, Chili, Bhut Jolokia, Anandita Dutta Tamuly