For a natural high, though, superhot chilis require unnatural care to process, because they are an irritant.

WSJ: Arms Race to Grow World's Hottest Pepper Goes Nuclear

Red chutney scorches the mouth with garlic and chili powder (and maybe a touch of tamarind), while the green stuff tingles the lips with green chilis, cilantro and mint.

WSJ: Indian Snacks That Pack a Punch

Bindi restaurant's managing director and executive chef, Muhammed Karim, took those accidental chilis, combined them with other peppers and extracts, and created what he believes is the world's hottest curry.

CNN: Apparently This Matters: World's hottest curry

Specifically, the main driving force behind the Widower's heat is 20 Infinity chilis, which were developed by a Grantham man named Nick Woods who grew the record-breaking strain completely by accident.

CNN: Apparently This Matters: World's hottest curry

It was always the same: a great wedge of papaya with limes, a crisp thin omelette with green chilis mixed in, two slices of inch-thick white-bread toast, a dollop of red jelly and of margarine, and a pot of coffee with milk.

CNN: From Our Correspondent: On a Magical Hill