It’s official… the hottest ready meals in the world are about to hit UK supermarkets, but you have to be over 18 to buy them.
If you’d consider yourself to be pretty tolerant when it comes to spicy food, and reckon you’ve got what it takes to handle the heat, then two new ready meals made with the world’s hottest chilli pepper are launching in Iceland from this week – but due to the serious spice levels, bosses have been forced to ban ban under 18s from getting their hands on them.
The two new meals, a searingly-spicy Chicken Tikka Masala and a molten Chilli Mac & Cheese, are with the world’s hottest chilli, Pepper X, which tops a staggering 2.69 million Scoville heat units – making it 53,760% hotter than a jalapeño.
The Pepper X chilli earned the title of the World’s Hottest Chilli from Guinness World Records in 2023, and last year, and has only ever been available in sauce form up until now.
Images: Supplied
The new products are so hot, in fact, that Iceland has become the first UK supermarket to introduce an age restriction on ready meals.
Whether you can believe it or not, staff at stores across the UK are prepped and will be on high alert when the products hit the shelves from this Thursday (10 October), ensuring IDs are shown at the checkouts, which means those daring enough for the challenge need to come prepared if they want to walk away with them.
“Our customers love spice, and they are always pushing us to turn up the heat,” explained Matthew Worsley, who is the Head Development Chef at Iceland Foods.
“So this time, we have developed a range that will not disappoint.
The meals will exclusively be available from Iceland and The Food Warehouse / Credit: Iceland Foods
“Our Pepper X range is unlike anything we’ve ever offered to our customers before. It’s intense, it’s fiery, and it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted, but with intense heat comes great responsibility, so to ensure only the most experienced spice enthusiasts can take on the challenge, we’ve decided to limit sales to customers aged 18 and over.”
The new Pepper X meals will arrive in select Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores from Thursday 10 October, with a full rollout across the UK, including online, by Monday 14October.
Featured image – Supplied
Eats
A modern Mexican restaurant made famous in Manchester is opening in Leeds city centre next week
The North’s favourite Mexican restaurant is arriving in Leeds.
You've met Salon Madre, but have you met her older sister Madre?
This fabulous new restaurant is bringing a taste of Mexico to Leeds, and after making a name for themselves over in Manchester you already know it's going to be good.
By day, Madre is a laid-back space designed for relaxed lunches and by night, it transforms into a lively restaurant serving a menu that celebrates the breadth of Mexican cuisine.
Expect everything from rich Oaxacan-inspired moles and salsas to Baja-style mariscos and Sonoran grilled meats.
Images: The Manc Group
At the heart of Madre is the Mexican tradition of sobremesa - the art of lingering at the table long after the meal is over. It’s all about good food, great drinks and even better company.
Madre’s famous Taco Tuesday will also be heading to Leeds, launching on Cinco de Mayo and running every Tuesday thereafter, guests can enjoy two-for-one tacos all day, every Tuesday.
Madre joins its sister venue, Salon Madre - the lively tequila bar and taqueria- which opened just a few weeks ago. Just a few minutes walk apart, the two spots are perfectly paired for a full day or night out.
We're talking dinner at Madre followed by a few margaritas and a couple games of pool at Salon Madre - class.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by extensive travels across Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve, and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of Madre.”
Madre Leeds will be located on Wellington Place and will officially open its doors next Friday 17 April, you can book your table here.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Edge's Pizza said: "Well there’s good reason for our silence over the last few months, (planning permission pending) we’ve got a home! Seven months of looking and we’ve learnt so much on this journey already, from investment that didn’t work out, to dodgy buildings not fit for purpose. We’ve got there in the end.
"All that to say, we pride ourselves on perfection and wouldn’t settle for anything less. We hope this will be worth the wait, and that you’ll support us on this next huge step. We are terrified to say the least, but we’re also so excited and immensely grateful to you our lovely customers for this opportunity."
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This would be great news for Leeds, as their pizza is something unlike anything we have in the city at the moment.
Forget the floppy, Neapolitan-slices that you fold before shoving in your gob. These slices are satisfyingly thin, perfectly crispy and just downright delicious.
We would love to welcome Edges Pizza to the city and we'll keep you updated with the progress. You can bet we'll be the first to order.
Emily Sergeant -
9th October 2024 
