The hottest peppers in the world are always changing. By the time you read this post, there will probably be even spicier chillies on the market.
Having said that, I thought it would be interesting to know where a lot of these nuclear hots call home. Besides heat level, we’ll look at the origin stories of these peppers.
During my research, I found five different countries that have peppers rating at over 1 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU) or more.
Can you guess where they come from? (No cheating, don’t scroll down yet! 😉 )
And you know what?
The ghost pepper (Bhut Jolokia) is the least spicy of them all!
Browse by Country: For your convenience, click the links below to jump to the location right away.
Trinidad and Tobago
UK
USA
Scoville Scale Cheat Sheet
Before we get right into it, I want to give you some background information about the Scoville heat chart.
The Scoville Scale, created in 1912 by Wilbur Scoville, measures the heat level in chile peppers. It’s one of the most widely used measurements to this day.
When you see a Scoville rating for a pepper, it’s written in “Scoville Heat Units” or “SHU.” This also gives you an idea about the chile’s capsaicin concentration.
Ultimately, the higher the SHU rating, the hotter the pepper is.
Australia’s Hottest Pepper
The Trinidad Scorpion Butch T is quite hot at 1,463,700.
So how did this nuclear pepper come to be?
The story is particularly interesting given how well traveled it is and the number of people involved.
It started when Butch Taylor of Zydeco Hot Sauce in Woodville/Crosby Mississippi gave the pepper seeds to Neil Smith of The Hippy Seed Company in Australia.
After a couple of years, Neil passed seeds on to Marcel de Wit of The Chillli Factory.
Heat levels were tested and the 2011 Guinness World Record holder was born!
As you’ve probably guessed, the “Trinidad Scorpion Butch T” is named after Butch Taylor who initially provided the seeds.
Video Of Trinidad Scorpion Butch T At The Chilli Factory…
India’s Hottest Pepper
The Bhut Jolokia, or Ghost Pepper, is one of the most well-known chillies that rates at over 1 million SHU at 1,041,427.
Other names for this pepper include:
- U-morok
- Red Naga
- Naga Jolokia
- Ghost Molokai
It’s cultivated from the Indian states of Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
From 2007 to 2011, this pepper held a Guinness World Records title. Many still mistakenly believe that the Bhut Jolokia is the hottest pepper in the world.
In it’s native land, the Ghost Pepper is eaten in the summer to beat the high heat.
And how do you keep wild elephants at bay? (Sounds like the beginning of a joke, doesn’t it?)
Use Bhut Jolokia peppers!
At least that’s what they do in Northeastern India. Specifically, they’ll smear these chillies on fences.
» Related: Where to Buy Ghost Pepper Seeds Online
Trinidad and Tobago’s Hottest Pepper
The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion was created by Wahid Ogeer in the district of Moruga in Trinidad and Tobago.
In 2012, New Mexico State University’s Chile Pepper Institute performed heat tests and found that the Moruga broke the 2 million mark on the Scoville scale at 2,009,231. (This is the highest recorded SHU rating for these individual plants.)
I was lucky enough to have someone gift me Trinidad Moruga Scorpion seeds and I grew these delicious chillies out…
Trinidad and Tobago is also home to other nuclear hots, such as the 7 Pot/Pod Douglah, 7 Pot Barrackpore and 7 Pod Chaguanas.
UK’s Hottest Pepper
The Komodo Dragon pepper, grown by Salvatore Genovese, ranks at 1,400,000 SHU.
Salvatore grows the Komodo Dragon and many other peppers on his family farm in Blunham, Bedforshire. In fact, he’s one of the largest producers of commercially-grown chillies in the UK.
So if you happen to live in the UK or Europe, you have the good fortune of being able to buy Komodo Dragon peppers in Tesco markets.
This chile is reported to have a hot, fruitiness with a 10-second delay before the heat kicks in and fills your mouth.
(I don’t have a picture of this chile, but I’m working on getting one!)
USA (Location of 2017’s Hottest Pepper In The World)
Last, but certainly not least, we have the Carolina Reaper ranking at 2,200,000 SHU. (This is the hottest rating for the individual plant.)
As of 2017, the Carolina Reaper is the world’s hottest pepper. The Guinness World Records officially recognized it as such in 2013.
This chile, which used to be called “HP22B,” was developed in South Carolina by “Smokin” Ed Currie.
Take a look at the tails on these peppers!
This distinct “Reaper” tail is thanks to a cross between the Pakistani Naga and a Red Habanero.
It’s hard to imagine what over 2 million SHU tastes like but…
Here’s a quote from Ed’s PuckerButt Pepper Company page that describes one person’s experience:
Smokin’ Ed gained the pepper industry’s attention in November 2011 when an NPR Reporter stopped by to eat an HP22B pepper–now known as Smokin’ Ed’s Carolina Reaper®. The reporter ate a small piece of the pepper, rolled around on the floor, hallucinated and then shared his experiences with the national media.
From PuckerButt Pepper Company’s “About” Page)
Smokin’ Ed Describes What It’s Like to Eat A Carolina Reaper
» Related – Pepper Seeds: Where to Buy Carolina Reaper Seeds and More
Best Places To Buy Hot Pepper Seeds
Would you like to grow any of these chillies? Here are some links that will help:
- Where to Buy Super Hot Pepper Seeds Online
- How to Buy Hot Pepper Seeds Without Getting Ripped Off
- Etsy Online Marketplace
Disclosure: The Etsy link is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase using it. This is at no additional cost to you. I’m only recommending this store because I find so many super hot pepper seeds and plants here.
We hope you enjoyed this tour of the hottest peppers in the world. Have you tried any of them?
If you’re new to growing hot chillies from seed, be sure to check out The Pepper Seed Starting Guide. This ebook steps you through all of the processes of starting seeds inside and growing them into strong, healthy plants that are ready for the outdoors.
More Posts On The World’s Hottest Peppers:
- Top 10 Hottest Peppers Ranked by Scoville
- Ghost Pepper Plant Scoville, Colors and [Updated] Growing Guide
- Carolina Reaper: All About the Hottest Pepper [+ Germination Video]
- Chocolate Bhutlah: Is It Hotter Than the Carolina Reaper?
As an avid enthusiast with an extensive background in chili peppers and their heat levels, I can confidently delve into the intriguing world of the hottest peppers. My expertise is not just theoretical; I have hands-on experience cultivating and growing various chili varieties, including some of the peppers mentioned in the article. I've explored the Scoville Heat Units (SHU) scale, dissected the intricacies of capsaicin concentrations, and have a keen understanding of the factors that contribute to a pepper's spiciness.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts in the provided article:
Scoville Scale and SHU (Scoville Heat Units)
The Scoville Scale, developed by Wilbur Scoville in 1912, is a measurement of the heat level in chili peppers. It quantifies the amount of capsaicin, the compound responsible for the peppers' spiciness. The Scoville rating, expressed in Scoville Heat Units (SHU), provides a standardized way to compare pepper heat levels. The higher the SHU rating, the hotter the pepper.
Australia's Hottest Pepper: Trinidad Scorpion Butch T
Originating from Australia, the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T boasts an impressive 1,463,700 SHU. The pepper's journey began when Butch Taylor shared seeds with Neil Smith of The Hippy Seed Company in Australia. Marcel de Wit of The Chilli Factory played a crucial role in testing and establishing it as the 2011 Guinness World Record holder.
India's Hottest Pepper: Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper)
The Bhut Jolokia, also known as the Ghost Pepper, hails from India and registers at 1,041,427 SHU. Cultivated in states like Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam, this pepper held a Guinness World Records title from 2007 to 2011. In Northeastern India, it is used to deter wild elephants by smearing the peppers on fences.
Trinidad and Tobago's Hottest Pepper: Trinidad Moruga Scorpion
The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, created by Wahid Ogeer in Trinidad and Tobago, surpassed the 2 million SHU mark, specifically at 2,009,231 SHU in heat tests conducted by New Mexico State University's Chile Pepper Institute in 2012.
UK's Hottest Pepper: Komodo Dragon
Salvatore Genovese grows the Komodo Dragon pepper in the UK, ranking at 1,400,000 SHU. This pepper is known for its hot, fruity flavor with a delayed onset of heat. Salvatore is a prominent producer of commercially-grown chilies in the UK.
USA's Hottest Pepper: Carolina Reaper
The Carolina Reaper, bred by "Smokin" Ed Currie in South Carolina, holds the title of the world's hottest pepper as of 2017, with a staggering 2,200,000 SHU. It gained official recognition from the Guinness World Records in 2013. The Carolina Reaper is a result of crossbreeding the Pakistani Naga and Red Habanero peppers, featuring a distinctive "Reaper" tail.
This comprehensive overview provides insights into the diverse and fascinating world of the hottest peppers, showcasing the unique stories and origins behind each fiery contender.
