Top 10 Hottest Peppers in the World
When it comes to the World's Hottest Peppers, nothing really compares. So much time, dedication, and testing has gone intodevelopingthese showstoppers.Their origin stories, heat levels/taste, and appearance are truly incredible. Continue reading to learn more about the top 10 hottest peppers in the world! If you are feeling adventurous, try growing some of these super hots and experience whatit's all about!
Scoville Scale
In case you were wondering how the heat level of these peppers is graded, let us explain. The heat level of peppers is measured on theScoville Scale. You may know itas the Chili Heat Scale or the Chile Scoville Scale. The Scoville Scale is a measurement of the heat and pungency of chili peppers where each pepper is recorded in Scoville Heat Units (or famously known as SHUs). SHUs are a way of quantifying how spicy a pepper is by measuring the concentration of capsaicinoids. Capsaicin is the chemical responsible for the spicy sensation within a pepper. This scale is named after its creator, Wilbur Scoville, who created the Scoville Organoleptic Test in 1912. 
#1. Pepper X - 2,693,000 SHUs
- As of August 23, 2023, Pepper X was announced as the hottest chili pepper in the world, according toGuinness World Records. Pepper X was created by the expert grower Ed Currie ofPuckerbutt Pepper Company based out of South Carolina. The official testing and recorded heat levelsaveraged over 2.5 million Scoville heat units (SHUs). This is significantlyhigher than the Carolina Reaper pepperwhich previously held the hottest pepper title. Pepper Xmeasuresnearly twice as much as the Reaper, so it is no joke when it comes to heat.
These pepper pods have a unique yellowish-green color with a similar shape to The Carolina Reaper. They both have a bulbous shape and bumpy texture. For more details on this scorching pepper, check our blog on Pepper X. There is still a lot we don't know about this pepper as the seeds have not beenpublically released.
Photo fromNBC News.
#2. Carolina Reaper Pepper -2,200,000 SHUs
If you are a super hot pepper fan, you are most likely familiar with the iconic Carolina Reaper pepper. In 2013, The Guinness Book of World Records declared the Carolina Reaper the “World’s Hottest Pepper." Like Pepper X, the Carolina Reaper was developed by Ed Currie. Ed created the Carolina Reaper by crossing the Pakistani Naga Viper with a sweet, red Habanero pepper. The result was a trulyastonishing pepperwith insane heat.
Our Carolina Reaper Seeds produce peppers with average heat levels of 1,569,300 SHUs, but individual peppers have been known to reachup to 2,000,000-2,200,000 SHUs! It is alsoreferred to as the HP22B pepper. The original Carolina Reapers are fiery red with little stingers and very wrinkly skin. If you are ready to test your heat tolerance, check out our Carolina Reaper Products!
#3.Moruga Trinidad Scorpion Pepper -2,009,000 SHUs
Once a previous world record holder as the hottest pepper in the world, the Moruga Trinidad Scorpion chili was developed at the New Mexico State University Chili Pepper Institute and is dangerouslyhot! This pepper held the prestigious honor in 2012, but was quickly stripped of its title by the Carolina Reaper.
With Scoville Heat units of 1,550,000-2,000,000, this our Moruga Pepper Seedswill certainly shock you. While being tested, a senior research specialist went throughfourpairs of latex gloves when handling it, saying "The capsaicin kept penetrating the latex and getting on our hands...this has never happened before."
#4.7 Pot Douglah Pepper -1,854,000 SHUs
The fourth hottest pepper in the world is the mighty 7 Pot Douglah pepper.This very rare variation of the 7 Pot family has a dark brown almost deep purple color and is sometimes referred to as the Chocolate 7 Pot.
When tested on the Scoville Heat Scale at the NMSU Chile Pepper Institute, the 7 Pot Douglah pepper was as high as 1,800,000 Scoville Heat Units. Don't miss out on our7 Pot pepper seeds and 7 Pot Pepper Spices!
#5.Primotalii Pepper -1,469,000 SHUs
Also spelled Primotailii, this bad boy is absolutely one of the hottest peppers to ever exist! In 2012, this chili was created by Chris Saunders. It is a cross between the7 Pot Primoand the Fatalii pepper.The Primotalii pepper feels just as hot as theCarolina Reapers and Scorpions, but we’re not sure of the heat level -officially.
Heat levels for the Primotalii are said to be over 1,000,000 SHUs, and as high as 2,200,000 SHUs. These pods boast long stingers that appeared in the F2 stage ofbreeding, and phenotypes were chosen to stabilize that characteristic. Today, the variety is considered stable.
#6.Butch "T" Trinidad Scorpion Pepper - 1,464,000 SHUs
Coming in at number six is the Butch "T" Trinidad Scorpion pepper. It became world-famous when it broke all records in the Guinness Book of World Records back in 2011. It was discovered by Butch Taylor in his patch of Trinidad Scorpion Peppers. Once he gave it a taste, he knew it was different from the rest.
The Scorpion Butch pepper is a very exclusive pepperthat is quitehard to find. This chili is aTrinidad Scorpionstrain. With a Scoville Heat Level of 1,463,700, it doesn't disappoint in the heat department.
#7. Naga Viper Pepper - 1,349,000 SHUs
Next on the list of hottest peppers in the world is the Naga Viper pepper. Thissaucer-shaped pepper was created in Cumbria, a small county in England, and is a 3-way cross of the Naga Morich,Bhut Jolokia, andTrinidad Scorpion.Some say the7 Pot pepperwas also involved in creating this.
The Naga Vipe pepper appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records as one of thehottest peppers in the worldfor a short period of time. Later it was discovered that it was not grown out for 8 full generations to make it a completely stable variety.Either way, if you grow these seeds, you will have HOT peppers with a Scoville Heat Level of roughly 1,382,000.
#8. Ghost Pepper - 1,042,000 SHUs
The Red Ghost Pepper, AKA the Bhut Jolokia chili, is anheirloom varietycoming from India. The hot Ghost Pepper chili took the crown in 2007, and held the record for 4 years! Although this pepper was dethroned, it is a very famous variety that many pepper enthusiasts can't wait to get their hands on.It is actually the hottest commercially grown pepper in the world!
Most ghost peppers run around the 900,000 SHUs mark, but they have been recorded at over 1,000,000 SHUs. As one of thespiciest peppers in the world, the Indian Army once weaponized these to make chili hand grenades. Our collection of Ghost Pepper Products has everything from seeds, live plants, hot sauces, and much more.
#9.7Pot Barrackpore Pepper - 1,000,000 SHUs
Nearing the end of our list is the 7 Pot Barrackpore pepper. It is a rare variation of a 7 Pot.This super hot gets its name from the town in which it was originally discovered – Barrakpore, Trinidad. With a Scoville Heat Level of1,000,000-1,300,000, this wicked pepper will knock your socks off every time. The Barrackpore gets to be about 3 inches long, has dimples and a wrinkly appearance, and sometimes grows a tail.
#10.7 Pot Jonah Pepper(Red Giant) - 1,000,000 SHUs
Lastly, we have the 7 Pot Jonah Pepper, originating from Trinidad & Tobago. It is a larger 7 Pot varietythat is assumed to be related to theTrinidad Scorpion pepperfor its intense heat with a Scoville Heat Level of800,000-1,200,000.These pods can get as large as a Raquetball (around 2 inches) and sometimes grow a Scorpion tail.
World's Hottest Peppers from Pepper Joe's
We offer a wide variety of competitive super hot pepper products considered to be some of the hottest in the world! You can grow your very ownsuper hot peppersright in your backyard, or enjoy throat-burning heat guaranteed to knock the taste buds right out of your mouth from our selection ofhot sauces, spices, and snacks.
- Shop our selection ofWorld's Hottest Pepper Seeds!
For any tips on growing super hot peppers, check out ourGrow With Joe blog serieswhere you'll findarticles on how to grow, maintain, harvest, and save hot peppers from your very own garden.
