You may think you like spicy foods, but can you handle the hottest peppers bred for extreme heat? Back in 2018, a 34-year-old felt the full impact of this heat when severe headaches landed him in the emergency room shortly after he dared to eat one. CT scans later revealed his brain’s arteries had temporarily narrowed, an alarming effect that normalized over the next five weeks. In another incident in 2020, a young boy, just 15, experienced a stroke from the intense effects of the same pepper.

On the Scoville Scale, which gauges the spiciness of peppers, the Carolina Reaper averages a scorching 1,640,000 units, with some tests showing peaks over 2.2 million. If you’re curious about how it tastes and how to survive the experience, continue reading.

👉Also Read: Is the Carolina Reaper the Hottest Pepper in the World?

How Spicy is a Carolina Reaper?

Ranked at an astonishing 1,641,183 Scoville Heat Units on average, with some peppers even hitting the 2.2 million mark, the Carolina Reaper is no ordinary chili. It’s intentionally bred for those who seek to test their limits and delight in the dance of flames on their palate. To put this into perspective, it’s roughly ten times hotter than a habanero, which was considered extremely hot back in 1999. This intense heat comes from a high concentration of capsaicin, the chemical responsible for the heat in chilies.

Beyond setting your mouth on fire, Carolina Reaper peppers also have a surprisingly sweet and fruity flavor, making them a perfect ingredient for hot sauces.

In 2013, a variety of spicy pepper plants were crossbred, including the Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia), and according to some sources, a Pakistani Naga Viper and a Caribbean La Soufriere. The creator was trying to take the capsaicin levels to the “next level” for higher heat but ended up creating a record-breaking chili. The unexpected potency of the Carolina Reaper seeds, ribs, and placenta was a pleasant surprise, even to its creator, who described its discovery as a gift from God. It was rightfully declared the world’s hottest chili pepper in 2013 by the Guinness World Record and held the title until very recently (more on this later).

If you are brave enough to try it, we highly recommend using Carolina Reapers to intensify the flavor notes of Mexican, Thai, or Indian food. Add a touch of it to your jambalaya or barbecue marinade recipe; even a Bloody Mary can go from ordinary to unforgettable with a dash of Reaper-based hot sauce.

What Peppers Are Hotter Than the Carolina Reaper?

Pepper X

Pepper X now holds the title of the world’s hottest pepper, after dethroning the Carolina Reaper in October 2023. Pepper X reaches a scorching 2.69 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU), making it way hotter than its predecessor.

Pepper X was developed on a farm in South Carolina by crossbreeding the Carolina Reaper and another hot pepper. The development process apparently spanned over ten years. The project was kept under wraps to protect intellectual property. The heat intensity of Pepper X was verified in lab tests conducted at Winthrop University in South Carolina.

In Pepper X, the concentration of capsaicin is highest in the placenta, where the seeds are located. Its structural design increases the surface area available for capsaicin to be produced. Simply put, since the placenta (the central part of the pepper where the seeds are attached) has more surface area due to the pepper’s curves and ridges, there is more space for capsaicin production. So, expect an intensely high level of spiciness throughout the chili. Contrary to what many think, the heat does not come from the seeds in Pepper X.

The creator of Pepper X describes the sensation of eating a Pepper X as a potent, lingering heat, soon followed by sharp cramps. This might be why he refuses to make the fresh peppers or its seeds available to the public as of yet.

Dragon’s Breath Chili Pepper

Another notable contender is Dragon’s Breath, which made its debut at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2017. It registers at 2.4 million SHUs, surpassing the Carolina Reaper by 200,000 SHU. This makes it over 500 times hotter than Tabasco sauce.

Interestingly, the creators of the Dragon’s Breath suggest it could serve a bigger purpose than simply spicing up a meal. They are said to be looking into how it could be used in medical settings as a topical anesthetic because of its ability to numb the skin so well. The incredible levels of capsaicin in Dragon’s Breath may be able to trick the body into feeling less pain in the area where it is applied. For places in the world where traditional pain-relieving medicines are too expensive or hard to find, this little chili could be a cost-effective and accessible alternative.

And despite some dramatic reports, consuming Dragon’s Breath — or any superhot chili — wouldn’t kill you. Yes, it can cause nausea and stomach cramps if consumed in large amounts, but it’s not lethal. 

For those prone to migraines, consider that capsicum, caffeine, and certain pain medications combined may provide relief, but it’s advisable to consult with your doctor first. However, if you have any underlying health conditions such as a digestive disorder, heart condition, respiratory issue, or hemorrhoids, it’s advisable to exercise caution with these chilies. 

Trinidad Moruga Scorpion

As you can guess by its name, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion pepper comes to you from the Moruga region of Trinidad. Since these peppers take one to two months longer to mature than most peppers, it allows them to develop an explosive level of heat.

The Scoville Scale rates it at an average of 1,200,000 units, although some individual peppers have even reached over 2,000,000 units. This makes the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion up to 240 times hotter than a jalapeño. Apart from the hotter-than-the-sun’s-surface heat, you can also look forward to a slightly nutty, citrusy, and fruity taste, which is why it is so highly sought after by hot sauce manufacturers.

7 Pot Primo

The 7 Pot Primo pepper was created in 2005 by Troy Primeaux, a Louisiana-based horticulturist affectionately known as Primo. Primeaux crossed the Trinidad 7 Pot with Naga Morich to give you a chili that not only scorches the Scoville Scale at approximately 1,500,000 units but also brings a depth of flavor that is revered in spicy cuisine.

Visually, the 7 Pot Primo is striking with a vivid red hue and a rugged, pockmarked texture that hints at its intensity. This pepper’s name, “7 Pot,” has its roots in a popular claim: just one of these chilies can season seven pots of stew. This should give you some idea of how legendary it is in the Trinidadian culinary circles.

The story of the 7 Pot Primo also has a hint of controversy because of its similarity to the Carolina Reaper. Some chili aficionados argue that the Reaper and the Primo may share more than just a passing resemblance, that in fact, they may share their lineage. This debate gained traction when the Reaper was named the world’s hottest pepper in 2013, a title that the 7 Pot Primo was also in the running for.

👉Also Read: Spice Up Your Culinary Game With The Best Carolina Reaper Recipes

Is Eating Super Hot Peppers Safe to Use for Beginners?

If you are new to superhot peppers, we recommend starting with a pre-made hot sauce or pepper mash, instead of handling the raw peppers or pods and seeds yourself. Starting with a mash or hot sauce can help you gauge your tolerance for heat as you try a small amount and increase it as you become more comfortable with the spice level.

If you find you enjoy the heat and want to explore further, you can gradually move on to using the chilies (fresh or dried) with the necessary precautions. Try Magic Plant Farms’ pure, all-natural Carolina Reaper mash to use as an ingredient base for hot sauce, or add it directly to your soups, stews, chili beans, stir-fries, pasta, marinades, and more.

You absolutely do not want to touch the pepper or a product made from it with your bare hands. All the chili peppers listed above release capsaicin oils from their skin. This compound is so potent that, in large quantities, it can even break down the protective barriers of the highest-grade rubber gloves available. Do not put yourself at risk – give Magic Plant Farms’ high-heat pepper products a try. We have already done the washing, deseeding, fermenting, blending, filtering, and testing for you. Not sure where to start? Try this sample kit to get a taste of what we offer.