UPDATE: 3/10/2025 - The hottest pepper in the world currently is "the "Pepper X", measuring up to 3.18 Million Scoville Heat Units.
Pepper X is The Hottest Chili Pepper in the World
Pepper X Is The Hottest Pepper In The World As Of October 2023. Pepper X averages 2,693,000 Million Scoville Heat Units on the Scoville Scale. Some reports put it at 3.18 Million Scoville Heat Units, well above the Carolina Reaper.
The Scoville score was calculated by Winthrop University in South Carolina, who conducted tests using peppers from the past four years.
The pepper was propagated by Smokin’ Ed Currie of Puckerbutt Pepper Company, LLC, who also propagated the former hottest pepper in the world, the Carolina Reaper.
The Guinness Book of World Records has recognized the Carolina Reaper chili pepper as the world’s hottest chili pepper. We have a new record holder! Smokin’ Ed Currie of Puckerbutt Pepper Company, LLC was notified today that it was official.
Learn more about Pepper X.
Carolina Reaper - Former Hottest Pepper in the World
With a Guinness-submitted 1,569,383 SHU (scoville heat units) average and measured peak levels of over 2,200,000 SHU, SMOKIN’ ED’S CAROLINA REAPER® was the hottest pepper in the world for a decade.
This is an extremely hot variety developed by a grower named Ed Currie. It is also called HP22B pepper. As of 2013 it is over 7 generations old. Ed created this chili pepper plant variety by crossing a Pakistani Naga with a Red Habanero type from St. Vincent's Island in the West Indies.
The flavor is fruity and similar to a 7 Pot chili pepper. The Carolina Reaper can grow to a height over 4 feet tall.
Moruga Scorpion – Formerly the Hottest Chili Pepper in the World
We have a new chili pepper heat champion on the block. The 2012 New Mexico Chile Conference, in association with Jim Duffy of Refining Fire Chiles, has announced that the Moruga Scorpion is the hottest chili pepper in the world as of February 2012. This chili pepper has undergone rigorous study and testing in the lab. It clocks in at 2,009,231 Scoville Units.
The previous record holder was the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T, at 1,463,700 Scovilles. More on that below.
Learn more about the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Chili Pepper
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The world's hottest chili pepper since 2011, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is the "Trinidad Scorpion Butch T" chili pepper.
The Trinidad Scorpion Butch T has been rated at 1,463,700 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), according to recent tests. It was propagated by Butch Taylor of Zydeco Hot Sauce and grown by the Chilli Factory.
About the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T Chili Pepper
The growers named the pepper the "Trinidad Scorpion Butch T", after Butch Taylor, who propagated the chili peppers in 2011. This chili pepper is the possible cross between a Trinidad Scorpion and as as-yet-named chili pepper that Butch is holding close to his chest in hopes of creating even hotter peppers in the future.
The Trinidad Scorpion Butch T measures in at a blistering 1,463,700 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). A typical jalapeno pepper measures around 5,000 SHU, while a habanero pepper measures up to 350,000 SHU.
Learn More about the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T
Also see: The Hottest Peppers in the World List.
tony willIiams says
I tried to get the Pepper X, not for sale. I guess if I had designed it, I would keep it secret also, at least the whole peppers and seeds.
I purchased PuckerButts' salsas with the PepperX inside. They go good on Mexican and Latino foods, Asian foods, and as a side to morning eggs, and on BBQ plate ribs.
Very tasty. I did not try to decipher the flavors, as I want to enjoy them, and not try to duplicate or make them myself.
I am about to repeat myself. Very tasty. Try some.
I grow in my garden the other top four heat wise peppers. My acidic and high nitrogen mountain soil, with the itty bitty grow season do make some good flavored peppers, and excellent tomatoes. Just the proper spice, acid, and sweetnesses from our ground. I do start in my greenhouse, or our warm season would be too short.
Still waiting for my apple trees to give first fruits.
Mike H. says
Too good. Thank you, Tony!
Karen holloway says
How do you decide what is the hottest pepper? Do you taste test them? What elements and tests do you go through to come to an conclusion at the end.
Mike Hultquist says
Karen, it's done through chemical analysis in a lab. See my page on What is the Scoville Scale (https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/frequently-asked-questions/the-scoville-scale/) and Capsaicin (https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/frequently-asked-questions/what-is-capsaicin/) for further info.
Mohamed Aslam says
It's a very useful for chilie lovers.