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17 Hottest Peppers in the World: From Habanero to The Carolina Reaper

In this article, we answer the question, what is the hottest pepper in the world?

It takes a truly brave man (or woman) to risk setting your mouth on fire just to experience the flavor of these peppers. Peppers have been one of the most celebrated condiments across almost all continents, and each pepper has its own unique taste and variety, and definitely heat level.

If you’re a fan of crazy hot peppers, this list is definitely for you!

We collected the 17 hottest Peppers in the world, and we have everything from a Habanero (300,000 SHU) up to a Carolina Reaper (2,200,000 SHU).

World’s Hottest Peppers

17. Habanero (300,000 SHU)

Famously known as “The Orange Pepper” is one of the most readily available Pepper in the market today. The Habanero Peppers came from the Amazon and was later brought to Mexico where most of the Habanero today comes from. It used to be the hottest Pepper in the world. Today, it is considered as one of the most favorite Pepper.

16. The Devil’s Tongue (325,000 SHU)

First spotted in Pennsylvania together with the Habanero Peppers, the Devil’s Tongue has been favored by local farmers for bright, fruity and nutty taste. Experts suggests to eat them fresh in salsa or salads to experience the best taste of the Devil’s Tongue.

15. The Chocolate Habanero a.k.a Congo Black (425,000 SHU)

Originated in Trinidad, Chocolate Habaneros is one of the favorite for many ‘chiliheads’ for its rich, smoky flavor that comes forth from all the heat. Perfect for salsa and other dressing!

14. Caribbean Red Habanero (475,000 SHU)

Considered as an upgrade version of the Habanero, this small pepper offers a sinister amount of heat. One of the most creatively used Pepper which include “Caribbean Red Pepper Surprise Ice Cream”.

13. Red Savina (577,000 SHU)

This variety of Habanero Peppers has been consistently belonged to the top 10 hottest peppers in the world. Although it rank low these past years, there is no doubt that the Red Savina can still compete with other peppers. Selectively grown for years to come up with a larger, spicier and heavier kind- the Red Savina is surely an essential ingredients to your kitchen.

12. Trinidad Scorpion CARDI (800,000 SHU)

The name comes from its homeland that are self-evident once you take a closer look at it. The “CARDI” refers to the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute who are responsible in breeding these delicious Pepper!

11. Bhut Jolokia a.k.a Ghost Pepper (1,001,304 SHU)

There’s no need for much introduction for the Ghost Pepper. This tiny pepper will sure put your mouths on flame for its inter-species hybrid between all of the Habanero cultivars and the species containing the Tabasco pepper!

10. Bhut Jolokia Chocolate (1,001,304 SHU)

Famously known by its American name “the Ghost Pepper”, this pepper seldom occurs in variety of the standard red and contains a notoriously sweet flavor. You might be fooled by its sweetness but take note- it will sure burn your mouth!

9. Naga Morich a.k.a Dorset Naga (1,500,000 SHU)

Originally from Bengali, commonly known as the “serpent chili”, is often eaten green and raw as a side dish. This mind-numbling pepper also boost with a fruity flavor with a twist of orange and pineapple.

8. Seven Pot Chili (1,000,000++ SHU)

Get enough spice for seven pots of stew with more than a million SHU! Believe it or not, these little devils are famously known in Trinidad as the evil peppers that grow like weeds. You can find this anywhere!

7. The Gibraltar a.k.a Spanish Naga (1,086,844 SHU)

Let me tell you first that this pepper is grown in Spain, of course! But did you know that it was actually developed in the UK? Yes! Like other peppers today, The Gibraltar was a hybrid of unique spices to give that smokin’ hot pepper taste! Just to warn you- you may be subject to blistering when you try these!

6. Infinity Chili (1,176,182 SHU)

Engineered in the UK by breeder Nick Woods, the Infinity Chili holds the world record for two weeks, just in time that it was overcame by the Naga Viper. As top 6, this will literally set your nostrils on fire!

5. Naga Viper (1,382,118 SHU)

Accidentally brought to the world, this crazy spice can’t produce an offspring exactly like the parent. Now that’s crazy! If you wish to breed these peppers, you’ll need to get it from its creater- Gerald Fowler. Just be patient to wait on the line!

4. Seven Pot Douglah a.k.a Chocolate Seven Pot (1,853,396 SHU)

The Seven Pot Chili- Douglah, has a dark textured purple skin that can make you go crazy on your first try. Contains an enormous number of SHU, close to 2 million, you would never thought that a pepper like this ever existed! Originally from Trinidad, this pepper is abundant in many Caribbean provinces.

3. Trinidad Scorpion Butch T (1,463,700 SHU)

The creation of Butch Taylor, proprietor of Zydeco Hot Sauce from Mississippi, USA- although tiny and simple, this pepper can cause your tongue to numb for hours. No wonder that this peppers is called “scorpion” because it CAN sting you so bad!

2. Trinidad Moruga Scorpion (2,009,231 SHU)

Holds the record to first ever break the 2 million SHU mark for several years, the Moruga Scorpion is absolutely one of the most dangerous pepper on earth. As big as a golf ball, it contains capsaicin of 25 ml of high-quality pepper spray. This pepper is a serious flavor so don’t take it for granted!

1. Carolina Reaper (2,200,000 SHU)

The number 1 hottest pepper in the world… which is always subject to change as explorers find new peppers in faraway and (nearby) places across the world.

Finally, the most spicy, the hottest and the craziest pepper in the world! The Carolina Reaper with whopping SHU of 2.2 million, this pepper is crazy hot! This hard-core pepper is the current number hottest pepper in the whole world. Any pepper who wants to challenge this one? Only time will tell!

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