The one thing Burger King will do this Halloween season is celebrate it. The fast food favorite debuted its Ghost Pepper Nuggets for Halloween last year. This year, it’s doubling down on the Zak Bagans way of life with the introduction of a Ghost Pepper Whopper, which will be offered at locations across the country beginning on October 13; also, its app now has a “ghost hunting” feature that might net you BOGO Whoppers.
The mere mention of the ghost pepper can be enough to make you experience heartburn or spice aversion. One of the hottest peppers in the world is the ghost pepper, also known as bhut jolokia in its native India. Its Scoville rating ranges from 850,000 to 1,050,000 units, which is about 30 times greater than cayenne pepper, so I can’t blame you if you’re hesitant to try it despite the fact that an increasing number of food companies are incorporating it into their menus.
And now for the burning question of the moment: How hot is Burger King’s Ghost Pepper Whopper? I had to know since I am a fanatic of spicy cuisine. To find out the facts, I jumped in my car and drove right to the closest BK drive-through.
How spicy is Burger King’s Ghost Pepper Whopper?
What precisely is on this thing, and which ingredients are the spiciest? Let’s start with the fundamentals. The basic flame-grilled Whopper patty is the base of the Ghost Pepper Whopper, which is then topped with bacon, crispy jalapenos, hot queso sauce, and Ghost Pepper cheese. A bright orange Whopper bun topped with black sesame seeds unites everything.
Even though there are many components in there, only three work together to deliver Scovilles: jalapenos, queso, and Ghost Pepper cheese. Together, they create a slow-burning heat that, while not immediately apparent after a taste, remains on your palate and gradually gets hotter as you consume more.
The quantity of queso in each bite affects the heat level as well. My second mouthful brought more heat as I encountered the queso, which looked to be the main source of the sandwich’s spice. My initial bite was dominated by the smokiness of BK’s characteristic flame-broiled patty, with a background of the bacon. To be honest, the queso overpowered the Ghost Pepper cheese’s spice, and the jalapenos mostly distinguished themselves with their crispy texture rather than their flavor.
All of this is to say that, despite being a fan of spicy food, I needed to take a few breaks to clear my palate and tame the heat with a Sprite or some fries. By the time I was finished, I could clearly feel the burn, but overall, the heat was still very bearable. You won’t need to go to the emergency room, but this sandwich isn’t overpowering either, so you won’t get bored. It achieves a fantastic balance that might be a little disappointing for Hot Ones wannabes but still appeals to a rather wide spectrum of heat tolerances.
The Bun
After addressing the spice, let’s discuss the other ingredients. The Ghost Pepper Whopper is served on an overstuffed, bright orange bread that is liberally sprinkled with black sesame seeds. As long as you don’t give the food dyes that were used to make the bun so colorful too much thought, the visual impact gives you all the Halloween feels. The flavor of the bun was quite unremarkable, if a little artificial-tasting (perhaps from the colors), and it had a somewhat dryer texture than a standard burger bun. However, despite being covered in queso, the burger was far less messy due to the dryness of the bun, which helped make it a sturdy platform for the variety of toppings.
The Patty
My burger’s meat itself wasn’t particularly noteworthy; it wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t outstanding either, and it could have been a little underseasoned. However, when coupled with the bacon, the flame-broiled patty’s inherent smokiness pairs perfectly with the cheese’s and queso’s heat to create an overall very pleasing flavor profile. I can’t say I feel like I’m missing much by mainly sticking to the plant-based version as a former vegetarian who typically likes the Impossible Whopper to the original.
Should you get it?
That was a lot of words, I admit. Is the Ghost Pepper Whopper from Burger King genuinely tasty? My firm response is yes. It would be difficult to locate a fast food burger that has a similar overall effect right now if the heat and flavor were both present. I did discover that I missed the acidity of pickle slices and the freshness of tomatoes and lettuce when compared to an original Whopper. In addition, I still think queso in this burger is inferior to mayo as the creamy component. However, despite my fears, I didn’t find the Ghost Pepper Whopper to be very weighty or a grease bomb. Overall, I’d say it basically lives up to the hype if you can tolerate the heat.
FAQs
What is the Ghost Pepper Whopper from Burger King?
The Burger King Ghost Pepper Whopper is a limited-edition burger that comes with a fiery sauce flavored with ghost peppers. It is a variant of their famous Whopper burger, which comes on a sesame seed bun with a flame-grilled beef patty, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and mayonnaise. For those who like spicy dishes, the ghost pepper sauce adds an extra touch of spice.
The Ghost Pepper Whopper’s heat level is described.
Depending on the individual’s taste and spice tolerance, the Ghost Pepper Whopper’s level of spiciness might change. However, as the name implies, it contains a sauce that has been infused with ghost peppers and is therefore exceedingly fiery. Given that ghost peppers are among the spiciest chili peppers in the world, this burger should be quite spicy.
Is there a year-round supply of the Ghost Pepper Whopper?
No, Burger King normally only sells the Ghost Pepper Whopper during certain times of the year. It is periodically launched as a unique promotion or a seasonal item. As a result, depending on the area and season, it may not always be available. To keep their menus interesting and new for customers, Burger King frequently releases new menu items.
Can the toppings on the Ghost Pepper Whopper be changed?
Yes, you can frequently adjust your Ghost Pepper Whopper to your tastes. Similar to the standard Whopper, you can ask for changes or leave out specific items. For instance, you might ask for more ghost pepper sauce if you want it to be more spicier, or you can ask to have certain toppings removed.
What beverages or side dishes go well with the Ghost Pepper Whopper?
Yes, Burger King has a selection of drinks and side dishes that go well with the Ghost Pepper Whopper. Traditional French fries, onion rings, or a side salad are popular options. To counteract the heat from the spicy burger, some folks might choose a refreshing beverage like soda or iced tea. However, in the end, everything boils down to personal preference, so you can pick whichever sides and beverages you like.