world's hottest peppers
The world's hottest peppers and where to find them.
It's interesting how the world of chili peppers is constantly evolving, with breeders trying to push the limits of heat! Here's a rundown of the world's hottest peppers, along with some considerations on where you can find them:
Key Players in the Superhot World:
Table of Contents
The world's hottest peppers and where to eat them. 1
7 Black Peppers (different strains): OR (7 Pot Douglah & 7 Pot Primo) 3
Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia): 5
Where to find these peppers (and their heat): 7
Pepper X:
Pepper X has become the world's hottest pepper, causing quite a stir. Here's a detailed look at this fiery phenomenon:
Key Details:
World Record Holder:
- In 2023, Guinness World Records officially recognized Pepper X as the world's hottest pepper.
- It averages 2,693,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), surpassing the previous record holder, the Carolina Reaper.
Breeder:
- Pepper X was bred by Ed Currie, the same pepper breeder who created the Carolina Reaper.
- He is known for his dedication to pushing the boundaries of chili heat.
Heat Intensity:
- Pepper X's sheer heat is extraordinary. To put this in perspective, a jalapeño pepper typically costs between 3,000 and 8,000 SHU.
- Pepper X's intense heat is due to its high content of capsaicin, the compound that causes the heat.
Characteristics:
- Pepper X is the result of many crosses, conducted over a period of 10 years.
- It is said to have a sweet and fruity flavor with floral notes, before the intense heat arrives.
- The physical shape of the pepper, with its numerous edges and curves, contributes to its heat level, as this shape allows for a greater surface area for capsaicin production.
Availability:
- Ed Currie has been very selective in distributing Pepper X.
- Currently, the primary way to experience Pepper X is through hot sauces, particularly those featured in the "Hot Ones" series, and also through his "Pucker But Pepper Company" products.
- The seeds and raw peppers are not widely available to the public.
Where to find it:
Hot People:
- The Last Dab hot sauces from the "Hot Ones" series are a major source of Pepper X.
Pucker Butt Chili Company:
- Ed Currie's company, the Puckerbutt Pepper Company, offers several products, including Pepper X.
Important Note:
- Due to its intense heat, Pepper X should be handled and used with extreme caution.
Links to find:
https://puckerbuttpeppercompany.com/collections/pepper-x-products
hot sauce page:
https://heatonist.com/collections/pepper-x-hot-sauce
Carolina Reaper:
The Carolina Reaper is a chili pepper that has earned a notorious reputation for its intense heat. Below is a detailed description:
Key Features:
Extreme Heat:
- The Carolina Reaper is known to reach over 2.2 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU).
- This heat level makes it one of the hottest peppers in the world.
- For context, a jalapeño pepper typically costs between 2,500 and 8,000 SHU.
Origin:
- It was bred by Ed Currie of the Pucker Butte Paper Company in South Carolina.
- It is a cross between the Pakistani Naga and the red Habanero.
Appearance:
- The black pepper has a distinctive, lumpy, fuzzy texture and a pointed "scorpion tail."
- It typically ripens to a vibrant red color.
Taste:
- Despite its intense heat, the Carolina Reaper is said to have a sweet taste before burning.
Scoville Heat Units (SHU):
- The Scoville scale measures the concentration of capsaicin, the chemical compound that produces the "hot" sensation in peppers.
- The Carolina Reaper's high SHU rating indicates an extremely high concentration of capsaicin.
- Use and Precautions:
Culinary Use:
- The Carolina Reaper is used in small amounts to add extreme heat to hot sauces, powders, and other spicy products.
- Due to its intense heat, it is not usually eaten whole.
Safety:
- Handle with extreme care.
- Wear gloves when handling peppers.
- Start with small amounts when adding it to food.
- Keep dairy products on hand to help neutralize the capsaicin if necessary.
Where to find it:
- Hot sauce retailers: Many retailers specializing in hot sauce sell sauces containing Carolina Reaper wrappers.
- Online retailers: Many online retailers sell Carolina Reaper pods, seeds, and sauce.
- PuckerButt Pepper Company: The company that created the Carolina Reaper sells many products containing this pepper.
The Carolina Reaper pepper is a testament to the extremes of pepper breeding and demands respect for its intense heat.
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7 Black Peppers (different strains): OR (7 Pot Douglah & 7 Pot Primo)
A group of extremely hot peppers from Trinidad, known for their intense heat and fruity flavors.
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- Varieties such as 7 Pot Douglah and 7 Pot Primo are the most popular.
- These peppers are often used in Caribbean cuisine and hot sauces.
Both 7 Pot Douglah and 7 Pot Primo are known for their intense heat and are highly sought after by chili enthusiasts. Below is a detailed look at each:
7 Pot Dougla(Peppers):
Origin:
- Originally from Trinidad.
- This is a variety within the 7-pot pepper family.
Heat Level:
- Extremely hot, with Scoville Heat Units (SHU) ranging from approximately 923,000 to 1,850,000.
- This places it among the "super hot" peppers.
Appearance:
- The peppers have a distinctive dark brown, or "chocolate," color when ripe.
- They have a wrinkled, bumpy texture.
- The beans are similar to habaneros.
Taste:
- Beyond the intense heat, it offers complex, fruity, and slightly sweet flavors. Some perceive nuances of chocolate richness.
Uses:
- Primarily used to add extreme heat to sauces and other culinary creations.
- Use with extreme caution.
- Other Notes:
- The name "7 Pots" comes from the belief that one pepper can have the flavor of seven pots.
Link to find:
Trinidad 7 Pot Douglah-10+ Seeds : Vegetable Plants - Amazon.com
7 Pot Douglah Pepper Plants | Get Yours Today! – Pepper Joe's.
7 Pot Primo(Peppers):
Origin:
- Created by Troy Primeaux ("Primo") in Louisiana.
- It is a hybrid of the Trinidad 7 Pot and Naga Moriche peppers.
Heat Level:
- Also extremely hot, the SHU averages around 1,473,000.
- It is considered one of the hottest peppers in the world.
Appearance:
- Generally vibrant red when mature, although it can also be orange or yellow.
- It is known for its characteristic "stinger" or pointed tail.
- The pepper may take on a lumpy appearance.
Taste:
- Fruity and floral, with nutty and earthy notes.
- Intense heat overpowers most people's taste buds.
Uses:
- Used to make extremely hot sauces and condiments.
- Handle with extreme care.
- Other notes:
- Developed in the early 2000s.
Key similarities:
- Both are varieties of Chinese pepper.
- Both are extremely hot, "super hot" peppers.
- Both originate from a cross with black pepper from the Trinidad region.
- Both peppers require a warm climate to grow properly.
Key differences:
- Color: Douglas is brown, Primo is usually red.
- The characteristic stinging tail of the Primo pepper.
- The exact genetic lineage of the chili.
When working with these peppers, it is very important to take extreme precautions due to their intense heat.
Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia):
The ghost pepper, also known as Bhat Jolokia, is a pepper known for its intense heat. Below is a summary of its main characteristics:
Origin and Name:
- It originates from northeastern India, particularly the states of Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur.
- "Bhoot Jolokia" roughly translates to "ghost pepper" in Assamese. The "ghost" part of the name may be due to the delayed response to heat, which begins to appear gradually.
Heat Level:
- Ghost peppers are exceptionally hot, with Scoville Heat Units (SHU) typically ranging between 855,000 and 1,000,000.
- To put this in perspective, it is hotter than a habanero pepper.
- While it once held the Guinness World Record for the hottest pepper, it has since been surpassed by other varieties.
Appearance:
- The peppers are generally between 2.5 and 3 inches long.
- Their skin is thin and has a wrinkled texture.
- Color can vary, ripening from green to orange, red, or even chocolate brown.
Taste:
- Despite their intense heat, ghost peppers also have a fruity and slightly sweet flavor. However, the intense heat often dominates the flavor.
Uses:
- Due to their intense heat, ghost peppers are rarely used in cooking.
- They are often used to make hot sauces, salsas, and spice blends.
- They are also used in some traditional Indian dishes.
- They have also been used in non-food applications, such as pepper spray.
Key Points:
- Handle ghost peppers with extreme caution. Wear gloves when handling them and avoid touching your eyes or face.
- The heat from ghost peppers can cause severe burns.
- When using ghost peppers in cooking, it's important to start with very small amounts.
Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Pepper-Powder-Pure-Jolokia/dp/B006XYUZ9I
https://www.americanspice.com/ghost-chile-pepper-whole-bhut-jolokia/
Where to find these peppers (and their heat):
Hot sauce shops:
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- Specialty hot sauce stores are your best bet for finding a wide variety of extremely hot chili products.
- These stores often sell sauces, powders, and other items made with the hottest chilies.
Online retailers:
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- Several online retailers specialize in hot sauces and chili peppers, offering a wide selection of products from around the world.
Restaurants:
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- Some restaurants, especially those specializing in spicy cuisine, may serve dishes prepared with extremely hot peppers.
- But be prepared to experience intense heat!
Farmers markets:
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- During chili season, you may see fresh, extremely hot chili peppers for sale at farmers markets.
Important Considerations:
Heat Level:
- The Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) scale measures the spiciness of chili peppers.
- Be very careful when handling and eating extremely hot peppers.
Safety:
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- Wear gloves when handling extremely hot peppers.
- Start with small amounts and gradually increase as tolerated.
- Keep milk or yogurt on hand to neutralize the capsaicin.
I hope this information helps you navigate the exciting world of super-hot peppers!
Links to find:
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