The Hottest 10 Chili Peppers Worldwide

Leading the pack is the Carolina Reaper from the United States, a hybrid pepper. Their spiciness is not to be underestimated, comparable to a specialized police pepper spray. According to the Guinness World Records, as of now, Mr. Ed Currie's Carolina Reaper is the spiciest pepper on Earth.

On the Scoville Heat Scale, Carolina Reaper peppers have an average spiciness of 1,569,300 Scoville Heat Units, with some reaching up to 2.2 million. In comparison, the spiciness of specialized pepper spray is 2 million Scoville Heat Units. The 'danger' level of the Carolina Reaper was studied by a group of students at Winthrop University. Scientists calculated spiciness by extracting capsaicinoid compounds from the pepper, then using liquid chromatography to precisely measure the compound's mass. The results were then converted to the Scoville Scale using a standardized formula.

Ed Currie, the head of PuckerButt Pepper Company, has devoted most of his life to discovering and crossbreeding the spiciest pepper varieties globally. Currie's new world record has caused quite a stir in the chili pepper farming community, injecting fresh momentum into the quest for the world's spiciest peppers. According to the statistics from this country's Department of Agriculture, in just under five years, the consumption of peppers by Americans has increased by 8%. In the U.S., spicy peppers are a highly consumed commodity, used in cooking and for medical research, especially in cancer prevention.

This variety isn't a hybrid; instead, it's developed through meticulous selective breeding by saving seeds from plants exhibiting desirable traits. In 2010, David Capiello, a renowned chili and farming enthusiast from North Carolina, obtained 7 Pot seeds from another grower in Trinidad.

This pepper is believed to closely resemble the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion. David selected peppers with a textured, brain-like skin and named them Brain Strain. The result is an incredibly hot pepper with an appearance resembling a brain, both on the outside and inside. A highly productive plant, many growers claim it's the reddest among 7 Pot peppers. The 7 Pot Brain Strain plant grows to a height of 3-4 feet, with fruits ripening from green to red. There's also a yellow variant of the 7 Pot Brain Strain.

The 7 Pot pepper variety comes in many shapes and colors, each with the unique flavor characteristic of 7 Pot - known for having the lowest heat in the 7 Pot pepper family. Nevertheless, it's still considered a challenge for those seeking spicy heat. This Barrackpore variety registers around 1,000,000 SHU. 7 Pot Brain Strain is ranked as the world's third-hottest pepper, with its distinct brain-like shape. Just tasting them makes it feel like your brain is about to explode. Its heat level is around 1,900,000 SHU.

Trinidad Scorpion derives its name from its birthplace, the region of Trinidad. CARDI stands for the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, responsible for creating this unique pepper. Besides its intense spiciness, this pepper is widely utilized for another purpose—it's mixed with bottom paint to prevent barnacles on boat hulls.

Before the advent of the Carolina Reaper, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion held the title as the spiciest pepper, originating from Trinidad and Tobago. Resembling a fiery sphere, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion is acclaimed as the world's hottest pepper. Despite initially having a sweet taste, it progressively intensifies, reaching a spiciness level of 2,000,000 SHU.

The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion pepper variety gained fame as the first pepper in the world to surpass the 2 million SHU threshold. Despite its intense heat, it's considered one of the most flavor-packed peppers globally. While praised for its exceptional taste, the searing heat of this pepper may feel like it can tear through your stomach when consumed.

Another member of the 7 Pot family, 7 Pot Primo, is known for its sweet flavor and terrifying heat. Even for those accustomed to spicy tastes, it might bring tears to your eyes. Recognizable by its red color, rough skin, and a sharp tail, 7 Pot Primo bears a striking resemblance to the Carolina Reaper.

Also referred to as the '7 pots,' this pepper variety was developed by the Louisiana Primo or Troy Primeaux. It's a cross between Trinidad 7 Pot and Naga Morich peppers, with cultivation starting in 2005. The nickname '7 pots' is said to originate from the observation that each small pepper can season seven family-sized pots of stew, indicating a reduced perception of heat when consumed.

While the heat level of 7 Pot Primo is lower than Carolina, at around 700,000 SHU, for the average person, the difference is minimal. Therefore, a crucial tip when selecting peppers for your meal: Steer clear of those with rough, tail-shaped ends. This pepper has a long, pointed tail, a distinguishing feature from other varieties. The heat intensity of 7 Pot Primo is approximately 1,469,000 SHU.

Originating from the Caribbean islands, 7 Pot Douglah can grow to sizes ranging from 1.5 to 2 meters. It stands out as the only super-hot pepper that isn't red. Unlike other extremely spicy peppers globally, Douglah is frequently used in cuisine, albeit in small quantities, and is usually reserved for those who truly enjoy the heat.

According to chili experts, Douglah offers a delicious and alluring flavor compared to other pepper varieties. Belonging to the 7 Pot family, 7 Pot Douglah secures the 4th spot on the list. They are large and boast a deep brown color when ripe. The heat they bring makes you think twice before tasting, matching the intensity of the top 1, 2, and 3 above.

If you're not someone with an extraordinary tolerance for spiciness, never dare to taste it, as it might lead you to the hospital with hours of enduring pain. Although milder than the peppers mentioned above, Douglah's heat is far from moderate, approximately 1,853,936 SHU. Hence, it can still land you in the hospital with hours of stomach discomfort if you're not accustomed to high spice levels. The intense heat measures around 1,853,936 SHU.

This is an incredibly rare pepper cultivated in the United Kingdom. It's a hybrid of three pepper varieties: Naga Morich, Bhut Jolokia, and Trinidad Scorpion. The Naga Viper pepper's heat can bring tears to your eyes, runny nose, and a burning throat.

Extremely spicy peppers aren't just used to add flavor to spicy dishes; they're also used in the creation of crowd control weapons. The Indian Defense Ministry produces non-lethal 81mm shells, highly effective due to their intense spiciness, capable of dispersing criminals or quelling small-scale riots. According to the Daily Mail, super-hot Naga Viper pepper seeds were sold to the Edinburgh Horticultural Society to provide Afghan farmers with an alternative to growing opium poppies.

After conducting relevant experiments, scientists determined that the Naga Viper pepper is the spiciest in the world, topping the Guinness World Records list in 2010. It doesn't naturally cross-pollinate and requires at least one year of cultivation. To grow this variety, one needs seeds from the person who created it, making it rare. This pepper is applied to create weapons for riot control. The Naga Viper has an intense heat level of 1,349,000 SHU.

The Trinidad Scorpion Butch T pepper variety is the pride of its creator, Mr. Butch Taylor, owner of the Zydeco hot sauce brand in Mississippi. The pepper has small fruit with a characteristic scorpion tail. It's so hot that even accidentally getting a bit of pepper on your hand can leave it burning for up to 2 days.

Like other scorpion peppers, it features a distinctive pointed tail. Although not as intensely spicy as the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T's heat level is still formidable. It was developed in Australia and held a Guinness World Record in 2011. Research indicates its heat level is only slightly less than the top 5 peppers. The standout feature of this pepper is its unique pointed tail.

Compared to the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T is less intensely spicy. However, it remains a challenge for many. This pepper can leave your hand burning for up to two days if accidentally touched. It boasts a heat level of 1,463,700 SHU.

Bhut Jolokia, recorded in the Guinness World Records as the world's hottest chili, is grown and used in Northeastern India. Bhut Jolokia, also known as ghost pepper, is a renowned chili originating from Assam and Nagaland, India, and now it is the most widespread globally, featured in spicy food recipes. It was once considered the hottest chili recorded in the Guinness World Records in 2007.

So, even ranking at number 9, you should not underestimate its spiciness. The ghost pepper has up to 1,000,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) - a scientific measure of chili pepper spiciness. Hot sauce made from pepper hits 2,500 - 5,000 SHU, while the pepper itself ranges from 2,500 - 8,000 SHU. Due to its formidable heat, the Indian military developed chili powder as a biological weapon, with its concentrated intensity capable of choking enemies. This chili also has a secondary purpose in Indian cooking. It is spicy due to the presence of a compound named Capsaicin. This substance stimulates nerve endings on the skin, especially mucous membranes.

Wilbur Scoville took the pepper extract, neutralizing the spiciness from capsaicin by adding sugar water until there was no more heat sensation. Apart from becoming a common household ingredient in certain regions of India and Bangladesh, it is also used as a microdose therapy for heartburn and as a way to combat the summer heat (eating ghost pepper induces sweating, leading to a decrease in body temperature). Bhut Jolokia has even been used as a weapon, with locals in Northeastern India applying this chili to fences to ward off elephants, and it has been used in smoke bombs! Its measured heat level is 1,041,427 SHU.

Unveiling the Intrigue of 10. 7 Pot Barrackpore

Yet another member of the 7 Pot pepper family graces this list. Possessing the distinctively unique flavor characteristic of 7 Pot peppers, it offers a spice level half that of the 3rd-ranked 7 Pot Brain Strain. Nevertheless, it remains a challenge for those seeking a fiery culinary experience.