Carolina Reaper – The Hottest Pepper
The Carolina reaper is the hottest pepper on the Scoville scale, with a rating of 1.57 million SHU to 2.2 million SHU. Created in South Carolina in 2006 by Ed Currie, it awaits verification from the Guinness World Records committee.
People who eat the Carolina reaper often experience intense reactions, including breathing difficulties and intense heat. Some individuals seek out the extreme spiciness for the thrill and adrenaline rush it provides.
Pepper X – World’s Hottest Pepper
Pepper X, developed by Ed Currie, surpassed the Carolina Reaper in 2017 with a Scoville rating of over 3 million SHU. It offers a sweet, fruity flavor and is recommended to be used sparingly in sauces and marinades due to its extreme heat.
Dragon’s Breath – A Spicy Contender
Dragon’s Breath, another pepper bred by Currie, is rumored to have a Scoville rating of 2,483,584 SHU, potentially hotter than the Carolina reaper. However, it has not been officially tested or verified.
Note: The Carolina reaper remains the Guinness World Record holder for the hottest pepper, but peppers like Dragon’s Breath and Pepper X present strong challenges with their alleged higher Scoville ratings.