The Carolina Reaper is one of the hottest peppers in the world, measuring over 2 Million Scoville Heat Units. It was developed by grower Ed Currie. Learn more about the Carolina Reaper here.
Scoville Heat Units: 1,400,000 – 2,200,000 SHU
Capsicum Chinense
With a Guinness-submitted 1,641,183 Scoville Heat Units (previously submitted as 1,569,383 SHU average and recently measured peak levels of over 2,200,000 SHU, SMOKIN’ ED’S CAROLINA REAPER® has officially completed its long journey to the top of “superhot” chili charts.
What is the Carolina Reaper Chili Pepper?
This is an extremely hot chili pepper developed by a grower named Ed Currie, and was the hottest pepper in the world until October 2023. It is also called HP22B pepper.
As of 2013 it was over 7 generations old. Ed created this chili pepper plant variety by crossing a Pakistani Naga with a Red Habanero type from St Vincents Island in the West Indies. It was bred in South Carolina and tested at over 2.2 Million Scoville Heat Units (with an aveerage of 1,641,000 SHU) by Winthrop University.
The flavor is fruity and similar to a 7 Pot chili pepper. The Carolina Reaper can grow to a height over 4 feet tall.
It was listed at the hottest pepper in the world by the Guinness World Records until it was overtaken by Pepper X.
How Hot is the Carolina Reaper?
As the hottest chili pepper in the world currently, the heat range is listed from 1,400,000 Scoville Heat Units on the Scoville Scale to a blazing 2,200,000.
Compared to your average jalapeno pepper, it measures 175 to 880 times hotter.
Compare that to a typical jalapeno pepper, which averages about 5,000 Scoville Heat Units, and the hottest Carolina Reaper is up to 440 times hotter. That is crazy hot!
How Hot is the Carolina Reaper Compared to a Ghost Pepper?
Ghost peppers (aka bhut jolokia) also have an awesome level of heat, and are one of the original superhot peppers, but the Carolina Reaper takes that heat to a whole new level.
Ghost peppers range in heat from 855,000 – 1,041,427 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), so the hottest Carolina Reaper is more than twice as hot.
Appearance and Description
The Carolina Reaper is a smaller pod, ranging from 1 to 2 inches wide (2.5 – 5 cm) and 2 to 3 inches (5 – 7.6 cm) long. The pods mature to a vibrant red color.
The skin tends to sport a bumpy texture, though some can have a smoother texture. One distinctive feature is a typical scorpion-like tail, much like that of a scorpion pepper.
What Does the Carolina Reaper Taste Like?
Despite the extremely scorching heat of this super hot pepper, the Carolina Reaper is surprisingly fruity and sweet. It is outstanding as a dried powder for adding both heat and flavor, and also as a sauce or hot sauce.
Check out this Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce Recipe - The Hottest Damn Hot Sauce I Ever Made. Despite the "tongue in cheek" name, it is a highly flavorful sauce that mellows with age.
It is best when used sparingly, as a little can go a long way. Consider stirring some into your Thai food dishes to extra heat, or into larger pots of chili, soups or stews.
Where Can I Buy Carolina Reaper Seeds and Plants?
Check out Ed's store at The Puckerbutt Pepper Company, or check out my Chili Pepper Plants and Seeds Resources page. Also, here is a link to Amazon (affiliate link, my friends!) - Buy Carolina Reaper Seeds.
Common Questions about the Carolina Reaper
Here are some common questions related to the Carolina Reaper.
Can Eating a Carolina Reaper Kill You?
No, eating Carolina Reapers or other superhot chili peppers will not kill you. However, it is possible to overdose on capsaicin, the chemical that makes chili peppers hot. One would need to eat more than 3 pounds of reapers to achieve this. There have been reports of people ending up in the hospital in extreme situations after eating reapers, particularly those with previous medical conditions. There is also the story of a man who burned a hole in his esophagus from eating super hot peppers, but that is not entirely true.
The truth is that the hole was formed from vomiting after he ate a burger with ghost pepper puree. While it is true that eating extremely hot peppers can cause vomiting, nausea and stomach pain, the reality is that they cannot tear or burn through any of your body parts.
Is There a Pepper Hotter Than the Carolina Reaper?
Pepper X, another pepper cultivated by Ed Currie, is reported to reach 3.18 Million SHU, hotter than the Carolina Reaper.
One report listed the Dragon’s Breath Pepper at 2,483,584 SHU, though it is most likely a hoax.
Would You Eat a Reaper?
Absolutely! I regularly eat reapers, though I respect them enough to use them sparingly. I have once taken a solid bite of a whole reaper and can attest that the heat is extreme.
My mouth flamed and eyes watered, and it took at least 30 minutes for the heat to subside. When I normally eat reapers, I cook them into foods, use them for making hot sauces, or dehydrate them for making chili powders, which is how I usually consume them.
I also enjoy making reaper jelly, which works great as a spread or a glaze for grilling meats.
If you're interested in more superhot chili pepper information, check out my further resources below.
Further Resources Related to the Carolina Reaper
- Superhot Chili Peppers List
- List of Chili Pepper Types
- List of the Hottest Peppers in the World
- What is Pepper X?
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Pepper
- Trinidad Scorpion Butch T
- Buy Smokin' Ed's Carolina Reaper® - Hot Sauces, Powders and More (affiliate link)
Got any questions? Please let me know. Drop me an email anytime. I'm happy to help. -- Mike H.
NOTE: This post was updated on 7/9/19 to include new photos and information. It was originally published on 11/14/2013.
Eileen Turner says
I was told that I had to wear goggles and gloves when working with them! Is this true?
Mike Hultquist says
It's a good idea to wear gloves, as they can burn your skin quite a lot. Goggles are good if working indoors. These are extremely hot and can burn.
Mary McMarie says
Amazing.
Gary crush says
If you squeezed the juice of a Carolina reaper into a bottle will it keep the 2 million Scoville Heat Units units of heat for a long time
Mike Hultquist says
Gary, the heat would eventually mellow some, but it'll be pretty darned hot for a long time.
Gary says
Thanks mike, I’ll tell you the reason I asked is I want to put the juice in a visine bottle for my daughter in law so if she’s ever confronted with violence when my 4 yr old grandaughter is with her, that’s why I asked how long will the scovil heat last if you squeezed the juice from a reaper into the bottle, if it lasted for 3 months I could make a bottle every 3 months but if it would be as close to powerful 1 yr later that would be great
Mike Hultquist says
Sorry to hear about that, Gary. All the best to you.
Gary says
Hi mike, my question before if you squeezed the juice into say a visine bottle and carried that with you because my idea is instead of pepper spray the visine bottle would squirt directly into the eyes of an assailant instead of a fog, my question is would that be illegal to carry and use, just so you understand to me it wouldn’t matter to me as long as I or my daughter in law stop a physical attack on her or my 4 yr old grandaughter, I would worry about legal consequences after the fact
Mike Hultquist says
Gary, there are legal consequences to assaulting a person with hot peppers, though I don't know the specifics. You might check on a legal forum.
Kim Morgan says
I have made two of your recipes and my husband has loved them. I have had no luck finding any Carolina reaper peppers locally. I live in Charlotte North Carolina. I was wondering if you could recommend a place to find those or order them?
Mike Hultquist says
Kim, I grow them (in North Carolina), but you can order some online. Check out Puckerbutt Pepper Company, or look to online selling groups on Facebook. Also, check out my resources page at the top for sellers.
Mike Collins says
I bought my plants at the Farmer's Market in Columbia, SC
Thomas Hodgin says
Have you ever fermented Carolina Reapers?
Mike Hultquist says
Yes, I sure have. Check out my page on How to Ferment Peppers/Make Pepper Mash: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/cooking-with-chili-peppers/how-to-make-fermented-pepper-mash/
Brian Higgins says
I air dried Reapers too, and they turned mostly orange, but with some black spots. Should those be cut out?
Also, I made two "salsa" recipes with these, and I can attest they will also make nose run, in addition to bringing tears to my eyes, and making me wish I had never gotten started with this stuff.
SALSA PICANTE A LA YUCATECA
10 Carolina reapers, fresh
2/3 cup lime juice ( or mild white vinegar)
1/2 teaspoon salt
Heat a fry pan, or a comal, and toast the peppers lightly, turning them constantly until they are soft and cooked.
Remove the stems and blend them with the rest of the ingredients, for a few seconds, in a blender.
with apologies to Diana Kennedy, The Cuisines of Mexico
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Brian, if there are signs of rot, yes, they should be removed. The salsa sounds great! Yes, this is all rather addictive. =)
Ali says
I love the reaper - keep them in the freezer and grate or cut a tiny bit off for my dishes...the taste of the reaper is, as you say, fruity, and just tastes so nice, it compliments the dish (if you use just the right amount). Just printed out your recipe for the sauce as my Dad has some growing and I need to make something with them (he wouldn't touch them). I was also looking for a dried recipe for them too...I guess just put them in the food dehydrator or oven (at low) will do it... Thanks Mike, been following you for a year or so now and your recipes are always enticing.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Ali. I appreciate it. Have a good one!
Chris says
The flames of Hell in your mouth.
You better be healthy
Excruciating .
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Yes, very hot peppers! I love it. Use with caution.