Yes, a ghost pepper is a fruit.
Here's why: Botanically speaking, a fruit is the mature ovary of a flowering plant, containing seeds. Since the ghost pepper develops from the flower of the chili plant and contains seeds, it fits this definition.
While often used as a vegetable in culinary contexts, the ghost pepper's biological classification as a fruit is definitive. Its red or orange color when ripe, wrinkled texture, and intense heat make it a sought-after ingredient in spicy dishes and sauces, even if not as commonly used fresh. The ghost pepper fruit can grow up to 8 cm (3 inches) in length. The fruit is often dried and ground into a spice.
