Presenting ‘Pepper X’: The Record-Breaking Super Hot Pepper in the World
Ed Currie, a South Carolina hot pepper planter (and evidently a full-time spice masochist), has set a Guinness World Record for Pepper X, a flaming hot pepper so intense that it makes his Carolina Reapers appear almost harmless.
Ed Currie, the creator of the infamous Carolina Reaper pepper, has set a new Guinness World Record with an even hotter pepper called Pepper X. If you’ve ever dared to eat a Carolina Reaper or sampled its scorching hot sauce, you might be in for a fiery surprise. Its consumption is typically in very small quantities or as an ingredient in hot sauces.
Pepper X, also developed by Currie through his PuckerButt Pepper Company, is now the uncontested champion of spiciness. It boasts an average Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) rating of a staggering 2,693,000, making the Carolina Reaper, with its 1.64 million SHU, appear comparatively mild. To put it in perspective, while a jalapeno ranges from 3,000 to 8,000 SHU, and habaneros typically hit around 100,000 SHU, Pepper X’s heat is on a whole different level, setting a new standard for extreme spiciness.
What is SHU?
SHU stands for Scoville Heat Units, which is a measurement scale used to quantify the spiciness or heat of chili peppers and other spicy foods. The scale is named after its creator, Wilbur Scoville, an American pharmacist, who developed it in 1912.
The Scoville Heat Units (SHU) rating of a pepper or spicy food item is determined through a taste test. Essentially, it involves diluting an extract of the pepper with sugar water until a panel of tasters can no longer detect the heat or spiciness. The number of dilutions required to reach this point is the pepper’s Scoville Heat Units. So, the higher the SHU rating, the spicier or hotter the pepper or food is considered.
Caution
Pepper X’s intense flavor has made it a sought-after pepper among people who enjoy the hot side of preparing food. However, it should be used with caution because its high spiciness can be difficult to handle even for experienced chili lovers. Pepper X is the current star of the spicy food industry, elevating spiciness to new heights, whether you’re an adventurous gourmet trying to test your heat tolerance or a hot sauce connoisseur seeking the ultimate blazing experience.