What Are the Hottest Peppers in the World?
🌶️ Which Peppers Are the Hottest in the World? Top 3 Super-Hot Peppers You Need to Know
When it comes to spice, not all peppers are created equal. While your everyday jalapeño barely scratches the surface of the Scoville scale (which measures spiciness in Scoville Heat Units, or SHU), a select few peppers push the limits of what the human tongue can tolerate. These super-hot chili peppers are bred for heat, often used in hot sauces, pepper eating contests, or grown by enthusiasts eager to test the boundaries of spice.
Here are the top three hottest peppers in the world, ranked by SHU and recognized for their record-breaking intensity.
🌶️ 1. Pepper X – World’s Hottest Pepper (USA)
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Scoville Heat Units (SHU): 2.69 million SHU (official average)
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Origin: South Carolina, USA
Pepper X currently holds the Guinness World Record as the hottest chili pepper in the world, overtaking the Carolina Reaper in 2023. It was developed by Ed Currie of the PuckerButt Pepper Company—the same mastermind behind the Carolina Reaper.
This Frankenstein of a pepper was crossbred over a decade using several ultra-hot chili varieties. The goal? To create a pepper that could top them all—and it succeeded. With an average SHU of 2.69 million (and peaks recorded over 3 million), this pepper is not just a culinary challenge but a scientific achievement in capsaicin concentration.
Flavor Profile: Surprisingly fruity (if you can get past the fire), with citrusy and earthy undertones beneath the heat.
🌶️ 2. Carolina Reaper – Former Record Holder (USA)
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Scoville Heat Units (SHU): Average 1.64 million, peaks over 2.2 million
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Origin: South Carolina, USA
Before Pepper X dethroned it, the Carolina Reaper wore the crown as the world’s hottest pepper for nearly a decade. Also developed by Ed Currie, this hybrid between a Pakistani Naga and a Red Habanero boasts devilish looks with a signature tail—and heat to match.
The Carolina Reaper is still widely regarded as one of the most flavorful super-hot peppers, often used in hot sauces that balance pain with sweetness. It's a go-to for extreme chiliheads and still dominates pepper-eating contests globally.
Flavor Profile: Fruity, sweet, and slightly smoky, followed by intense, building heat.
🌶️ 3. Trinidad Moruga Scorpion – Heat with Caribbean Roots
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Scoville Heat Units (SHU): 1.2 to 2 million SHU
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Origin: Moruga, Trinidad and Tobago
Named for its scorpion-like tail and stinging heat, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion was once considered the hottest pepper in the world around 2012. Native to the Caribbean, specifically the region of Moruga in Trinidad, this pepper delivers an immediate and overwhelming punch of heat that continues to rise.
Though it has since been surpassed in SHU ratings, the Moruga Scorpion remains a heavyweight contender and is prized for its flavor and burn by hot sauce makers worldwide.
Flavor Profile: Sweet and floral up front, with a relentless wave of heat that follows.
🔥 Final Thoughts: A Word of Caution
These peppers aren’t just spicy—they’re dangerous if not handled with care. Always wear gloves when preparing them, avoid contact with eyes or skin, and use sparingly in cooking unless you’re experienced with super-hots.
For spice lovers, though, these peppers represent the pinnacle of heat and the thrill of pushing your palate to the edge. Whether you're a competitive chili eater, a hot sauce hobbyist, or just love learning about extreme foods, knowing the world’s hottest peppers is a badge of honor.
Have pepper questions or questions about our hot sauces? Contact us today to learn more.
🛑 Quick Recap:
| Rank | Pepper Name | SHU (Average) | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Pepper X | 2.69 million | South Carolina, USA |
| 2️⃣ | Carolina Reaper | 1.64 million | South Carolina, USA |
| 3️⃣ | Trinidad Moruga Scorpion | 1.2–2 million | Trinidad & Tobago |