The world's toughest, or hottest, chilli pepper is the Carolina Reaper.
Often referred to as the "toughest" due to its extreme heat, the Carolina Reaper holds the distinction as the hottest chilli pepper on record. Its formidable pungency is measured on the Scoville scale, an international standard for gauging the capsaicin content in peppers, which is responsible for their spicy sensation.
With an average of 1,641,183 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), the Carolina Reaper significantly surpasses many other well-known super-hot peppers. This makes it an incredibly potent ingredient, often used in extreme eating challenges and specialty hot sauces.
Certified Super-Hot Chilli Record Holders
The following table highlights some of the world's most potent chili peppers, demonstrating their incredible heat levels based on certified records:
| Cultivar | Capsicum Species | Scoville Units (SHU) |
|---|---|---|
| Carolina Reaper | C. chinense | 1,641,183 |
| Trinidad Scorpion Butch T | C. chinense | 1,463,700 |
| Naga Viper | C. chinense × C. frutescens | 1,382,000 |
| Trinidad Moruga Scorpion | C. chinense | 1,200,000 |
For more information on the hottest chili peppers, you can refer to resources like the Hottest Chili Pepper Wikipedia page.
The Scoville scale, developed by Wilbur Scoville in 1912, quantifies the concentration of capsaicinoids. For comparison, a common jalapeño pepper typically ranges from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU, making the Carolina Reaper hundreds of times hotter.
Characteristics of Super-Hot Chillies
Super-hot chillies like the Carolina Reaper are known for several distinctive characteristics:
- Intense Heat: They deliver an immediate and often lingering burning sensation that can be overwhelming for those not accustomed to extreme spice.
- Fruity Notes: Despite their immense heat, many super-hot peppers, including the Carolina Reaper, possess complex fruity undertones, adding depth to their flavour profile before the heat fully takes over.
- Distinct Appearance: They often feature a wrinkled texture and, in the case of the Carolina Reaper, a pointed "stinger" tail, which is a tell-tale sign of its potency.
These peppers are typically handled with extreme caution, often requiring gloves to prevent skin irritation, and only tiny amounts are needed for culinary applications to impart significant heat.
