The world’s hottest peppers

March 4, 2023

The heat level of a pepper can vary depending on a number of factors as the plant’s genetics, growing conditions, and ripeness. Here is the list of the world’s hottest peppers based on Scoville Heat Units (SHU), a measurement scale used to quantify the spiciness or pungency of chili peppers and other spicy foods.

7 Pot Brain Strain, 1,350,000 SHU

The 7 Pot Brain Strain was developed by the Trinidadian chili farmer David Capiello. It is a cross between a Naga Morich pepper and a 7 Pot pepper, and it is named for the wrinkled, brain-like texture of its surface. It has a fruity and slightly sweet flavor, but this is often overshadowed by its intense heat. The 7 Pot Brain Strain pepper is highly prized for its unique texture, intense heat, and complex flavor profile

Naga Viper, 1,382,118 SHU

The Naga Viper was created by UK chili farmer Gerald Fowler. It is a cross between three different chili pepper cultivars, including the Naga Morich, the Bhut Jolokia, and the Trinidad Scorpion. At one time, the Naga Viper was considered to be the hottest pepper in the world, but it has since been surpassed by other cultivars.

Komodo Dragon, 1,400,000 SHU

The Komodo Dragon was developed by the UK-based chili breeding company Sea Spring Seeds. It is a cross between the Trinidad Scorpion and the Naga Morich chili peppers, and it is named after the large and fearsome Komodo dragon lizard that is native to Indonesia. The Komodo Dragon pepper is still a relatively new cultivar, having only been introduced in 2018, but it has already gained a following for ts intense heat and unique flavor.

Trinidad Scorpion Butch T, 1,463,700 SHU

The Trinidad Scorpion Butch T was created by Butch Taylor of Mississippi, USA. It is a cross between a Trinidad Scorpion pepper and a Naga Morich pepper, and it is characterized by its wrinkled, bumpy texture and bright red or orange color. It has a fruity and slightly sweet flavor.

7 Pot Primo, 1,473,480 SHU

The 7 Pot Primo was created by horticulturist Troy Primeaux. It is a cross between a Naga Morich and a Trinidad 7 Pot pepper, and it is characterized by its wrinkled, bumpy texture and bright red or orange color. It has a fruity and slightly floral flavor with a very intense and long-lasting heat.

Dorset Naga, 1.5 million SHU

The Dorset Naga was developed in the UK by crossing the Bangladeshi Naga Morich with other chili peppers. It is characterized by its bumpy texture, bright red or orange color, and extreme heat level. It has a fruity and slightly sweet flavor. The Dorset Naga is also considered to be a rare and sought-after pepper by some chili enthusiasts.

7 Pot Douglah, 1,853,986 SHU

The 7 Pot Douglah is a chili pepper cultivar that is also known as the Chocolate 7 Pot, 7 Pod Douglah, or 7 Pot Brown. It is originally from Trinidad and Tobago and is characterized by its wrinkled, bumpy texture and dark brown or chocolate color. It has a fruity and nutty flavor with a very intense and long-lasting heat.

Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, 1.2 million to 2 million SHU

The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion is a very hot chili pepper cultivar originally from the district of Moruga in Trinidad and Tobago. It is characterized by its bumpy texture, bright red or orange color, and extreme heat level. It has a fruity and floral flavor with a very intense and long-lasting heat that can be overpowering for some people.

Chocolate Bhutlah, 2 million SHU

Chocolate Bhutlah is a cross between the Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper) and the Douglah, also known as the 7 Pot Brown. It is characterized by its dark brown or chocolate-colored skin, bumpy texture, and extreme heat level. It has a fruity and slightly smoky flavor, but this is often overshadowed by its intense heat.

Carolina Reaper, 2.2 million SHU

Carolina Reaper is developed by Ed Currie from South Carolina, USA. It is currently recognized by the Guinness World Records as the hottest chili pepper in the world. It is a cross between a Pakistani Naga chili pepper and a Red Habanero. It has a distinct, bumpy appearance and comes in a bright red color, with a gnarled, twisted tail. The pepper has a fiery, sweet flavor that builds slowly and lingers for a long time.