Hot pepper challenge

File:Habanero closeup.jpg

A Habanero pepper

The hot pepper challenge or chili pepper challenge is a viral internet food challenge that involves filming oneself while eating and swallowing a chili pepper that is high on the Scoville scale and known for its pungent qualities - in particular the Habanero, Bhut Jolokia (ghost pepper) and the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion pepper - and then upload the video to the Internet.
The video generally includes the different stages the participant in the challenge goes through. In the introduction the challenger introduces him- or herself and states the proposed challenge, shows the pepper and its qualities and often takes precautionary measures like setting out a large quantity of milk which helps relieve and cope with the burning sensation in the mouth and throat. Then the pepper is eaten. After a short while the extreme heat or burning sensation and profuse sweating is experienced by the challenger, caused by the pepper's capsaicin and related capsaicinoids. Sometimes vomiting and hallucinations are induced by eating the pepper and often milk is consumed.

There are hot pepper challenges featured on television series like Man v. Food. On the video website YouTube many clips were uploaded and have gone viral.