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Peppers have become an essential ingredient in many cuisines around the world. Peppers add heat, flavor, and depth to dishes, and some are so spicy that they can make your eyes water and your tongue tingle. In this article, we’ll explore the 20 hottest peppers in the world, including their Scoville rating, description, culinary uses, and origin.

20 Hottest Peppers in the world

The 20 hottest peppers in the world that have earned the distinction of being the hottest on the Scoville scale.

Carolina Reaper (one of the 20 hottest peppers in the world)

  • Scoville rating: 1,569,300 – 2,200,000 SHU
  • Origin: South Carolina, United States
  • Appearance and flavor: Small and wrinkled with a bright red color. Extremely spicy with a fruity and slightly sweet flavor.
  • Culinary uses: Used in hot sauces, salsas, chili, stews, curries and marinades.
  • Health benefits: Contains capsaicin which may have pain-relieving properties and aid in weight loss.
  • Precautions: Can cause extreme discomfort, including sweating and nausea, in some people.

Trinidad Moruga Scorpion (one of the 20 hottest peppers in the world)

  • Scoville rating: 1,200,000 – 2,000,000 SHU
  • Origin: Moruga, Trinidad and Tobago
  • Appearance and flavor: Small and wrinkled with a bright red color. Has a fruity and floral aroma with a sweet and citrusy flavor.
  • Culinary uses: Used in hot sauces, salsas, chili, stews, curries and marinades.
  • Health benefits: Contains capsaicin which may have pain-relieving properties and aid in weight loss.
  • Precautions: Can cause extreme discomfort, including sweating and nausea, in some people.
  • Fun facts: The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion was certified as the world’s hottest pepper in 2012 by the Guinness World Records.
20 hottest peppers in the world
20 hottest peppers in the world

7 Pot Douglah

  • Scoville rating: 923,000 – 1,853,936 SHU
  • Origin: Trinidad and Tobago
  • Appearance and flavor: Small and bumpy with a chocolate brown color. Has a fruity and nutty flavor with hints of cinnamon.
  • Culinary uses: Used in hot sauces, salsas, chili, stews, curries and marinades.
  • Health benefits: Contains capsaicin which may have pain-relieving properties and aid in weight loss.
  • Precautions: Can cause extreme discomfort, including sweating and nausea, in some people.
  • Fun facts: The name “7 Pot” comes from the belief that one pepper is hot enough to spice up seven pots of stew.

7 Pot Primo

  • Scoville rating: 1,473,480 SHU
  • Origin: United States
  • Appearance and flavor: Small and bumpy with a bright red color. Has a fruity and floral flavor with a hint of citrus.
  • Culinary uses: Used in hot sauces, marinades, and rubs.
  • Health benefits: Contains capsaicin which may have pain-relieving properties and aid in weight loss.
  • Precautions: Can cause extreme discomfort, including sweating and nausea, in some people.

Trinidad Scorpion “Butch T”

  • Scoville rating: 1,463,700 SHU
  • Origin: Trinidad and Tobago
  • Appearance and flavor: Small and wrinkled, with a fruity flavor followed by intense heat.
  • Culinary uses: Used in hot sauces and chili pastes to add heat and flavor to dishes.
  • Health benefits: May help with pain relief and digestion.
  • Precautions: Can cause burning and discomfort, and should be handled with caution.

Naga Morich

  • Scoville rating: The Naga Morich pepper has a Scoville rating of 800,000 to 1,000,000 SHU, making it extremely hot.
  • Culinary uses: The Naga Morich is used in a variety of dishes, particularly in Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine. It is commonly used in curries, chutneys, pickles, and spice blends. It is also used in hot sauces, marinades, and rubs.
  • Health benefits: Like many peppers, the Naga Morich is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants. Some studies suggest that capsaicin, the compound responsible for the pepper’s heat, may have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
  • Appearance and flavor: The Naga Morich pepper is small and elongated with a wrinkled skin that ranges from light green to bright red when ripe. It has a fruity, citrusy flavor with a delayed and intense heat. The heat is described as being slower to build and longer lasting than other peppers.

7 Pot Brain Strain

  • Scoville rating: 1,350,000 SHU
  • Origin: Trinidad and Tobago
  • Appearance and flavor: The 7 Pot Brain Strain is a small, bumpy pepper with a fruity flavor that is sweet before the intense heat kicks in.
  • Culinary uses: Used in hot sauces, salsas, chili, stews, curries and marinades.
  • Health benefits: Like other hot peppers, the 7 Pot Brain Strain is high in vitamin C and capsaicin, which can aid in digestion and relieve pain.
  • Precautions: This pepper is extremely hot and should be used with caution, especially by those with a low tolerance for spicy foods.
  • Fun fact: The 7 Pot Brain Strain gets its name from the shape of the pepper, which resembles a wrinkled human brain.

Jay’s

  • Scoville rating: 1,000,000 SHU
  • Origin: United States
  • Appearance and flavor: This pepper has a unique peach color and a fruity, slightly sweet flavor before the intense heat kicks in.
  • Culinary uses: Jay’s Peach Ghost Scorpion is great for adding heat to salsas, sauces, and chili. It can also be used to make spicy pickles and relishes.
  • Health benefits: The pepper contains capsaicin, which can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
  • Precautions: This pepper is extremely hot and should be used in moderation, especially for those with a low tolerance for spicy foods.

Fatalii Pepper

  • Scoville rating: 1,000,000 SHU
  • Origin: Central and Southern Africa
  • Appearance and flavor: The Fatalii Pepper has a small, elongated shape with a citrusy flavor and intense heat.
  • Culinary uses: This pepper is commonly used in hot sauces, marinades, and rubs. It is also used in African cuisine to add heat and flavor to stews, soups, and curries.
  • Health benefits: The pepper is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which can help support a healthy immune system.
  • Precautions: The Fatalii Pepper is extremely hot and should be used in moderation, especially for those with a low tolerance for spicy foods.

Chocolate 7 Pod

  • Scoville rating: 1,200,000 SHU
  • Origin: Trinidad and Tobago
  • Appearance and flavor: This pepper is a deep brown color and has a sweet and fruity flavor before the intense heat sets in.
  • Culinary uses: The Chocolate 7 Pod is great for adding heat to chili, stews, and soups. It can also be used to make hot sauce or as a spicy seasoning for meats and vegetables.
  • Health benefits: The pepper is high in vitamin C and capsaicin, which can aid in digestion and relieve pain.
  • Precautions: The Chocolate 7 Pod is extremely hot and should be used with caution, especially by those with a low tolerance for spicy foods.
  • Fun fact: The 7 Pod pepper gets its name from the idea that one pepper can spice up to 7 pots of stew or soup.

Jigsaw Pepper

  • Scoville rating: 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 SHU
  • Origin: Unknown
  • Appearance and flavor: The Jigsaw pepper is a small, wrinkled pepper that is red when mature. It has a fruity and sweet flavor, but is extremely hot.
  • Use in culinary: Incorporate this pepper in salsas and hot sauces to add heat and flavor to your dishes.
  • Health benefits: Peppers are recognized for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which may benefit overall health.
  • Precautions: Consume in moderation due to its intense heat, especially for individuals with low tolerance to spicy food.

Komodo Dragon Pepper (one of the 20 hottest peppers in the world)

  • Scoville rating: 1,400,000 to 2,200,000 SHU
  • Origin: United States
  • Appearance and flavor: Small, red pepper with a pointed end and a fruity flavor; extremely hot
  • Culinary uses: Can be used in hot sauces and marinades
  • Health benefits: Peppers contain capsaicin, which may improve heart health and provide pain relief
  • Precautions: Should be used sparingly due to extreme heat
  • Fun fact: Named after the Indonesian island of Komodo, known for its large and dangerous reptiles.

Dragon’s Breath Pepper (one of the 20 hottest peppers in the world)

  • Scoville rating: Over 2,480,000 SHU
  • Origin: United Kingdom
  • Appearance and flavor: Small, red pepper resembling a cherry tomato; sweet, fruity flavor with intense heat.
  • Culinary uses: Not commonly used in cooking due to its extreme heat.
  • Health benefits: Peppers containing capsaicin have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Precautions: It is important to handle the Dragon’s Breath pepper with care and consume it in small amounts due to its extreme heat.

Douglah 7 Pot Chocolate (one of the 20 hottest peppers in the world)

  • Scoville rating: 1,853,936 to 2,200,000 SHU
  • Origin: Trinidad and Tobago
  • Appearance and flavor: The Douglah 7 Pot Chocolate pepper is a small, chocolate-brown pepper with a fruity and smoky flavor. It is one of the hottest peppers in the world.
  • Culinary uses: People use it in hot sauces and marinades.
  • Health benefits: Peppers contain vitamins A and C, which are important for maintaining a healthy immune system.
  • Precautions: It should be consumed in moderation.

Infinity Pepper

  • Scoville rating: 1,067,286 – 1,250,000 SHU
  • Origin: England
  • Appearance and flavor: The Infinity pepper is usually red and has a wrinkled skin. It has a fruity flavor with a strong, lingering heat.
  • Culinary uses: People use it in hot sauces, marinades, and in meat dishes.
  • Health benefits: Peppers have shown to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
  • Precautions: It is important to consume this pepper in moderation and with caution, as it is extremely hot and may cause discomfort or allergic reactions in some individuals.
  • Fun fact: In 2011, the Infinity pepper held the Guinness World Record for the world’s hottest chili pepper.

Red Savina Pepper

  • Scoville rating: 350,000 – 580,000 SHU
  • Origin: Mexico
  • Appearance and flavor: The Red Savina pepper is a bright red pepper that has a smooth skin. It has a fruity and slightly smoky flavor with a spicy kick.
  • Culinary uses: People use the pepper in sauces, salsas, and meat dishes.
  • Health benefits: Peppers are a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants.
  • Precautions: This pepper is quite spicy and should be used in moderation. It may cause discomfort or allergic reactions in some individuals.
  • Fun fact: The Red Savina pepper held the title of the world’s hottest chili pepper in 1994.

Naga Viper

  • Scoville rating: 1,382,118 SHU
  • Origin: United Kingdom
  • Appearance and flavor: The Naga Viper pepper is a cross between three different hot peppers. It has a fruity and sweet flavor, but it is also extremely hot.
  • Culinary uses: People use the pepper in hot sauces and spicy dishes.
  • Health benefits: Peppers are a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants.
  • Precautions: This pepper is extremely hot and should be consumed in moderation. It may cause discomfort or allergic reactions in some individuals.
  • Fun fact: In 2011, the Infinity pepper held the Guinness World Record for the world’s hottest chili pepper.

Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper)

  • Scoville rating: 1,041,427 SHU
  • Origin: Northeast India
  • Appearance and flavor: The Bhut Jolokia pepper is a bright red pepper with a wrinkled appearance. It has a fruity and slightly smoky flavor with a very spicy kick.
  • Culinary uses: People use it in curries, chutneys, and pickles.
  • Health benefits: Peppers are a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants.
  • Precautions: Use the Bhut Jolokia in moderation as it is one of the hottest peppers in the world. It may cause discomfort or allergic reactions in some individuals.
  • Fun fact: The Bhut Jolokia held the title of the world’s hottest chili pepper from 2007 to 2011.

7 Pot Barrackpore

  • Scoville rating: 1,000,000 – 1,300,000 SHU
  • Origin: Trinidad and Tobago
  • Appearance and flavor: The 7 Pot Barrackpore pepper is a small, wrinkled pepper that starts out green and turns to red as it ripens. It has a fruity and slightly sweet flavor with an intense heat.
  • Culinary uses: People use it in hot sauces and spicy dishes.
  • Health benefits: Peppers are a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants. Capsaicin may also have potential benefits for weight loss and heart health.
  • Precautions: Use the 7 Pot Barrackpore in moderation as it is very spicy. It may cause discomfort or allergic reactions in some individuals.
  • Fun fact: The name “7 Pot” comes from the idea that one pepper is enough to spice up seven pots of food.

7 Pot Jonah

  • Scoville rating: 800,000 – 1,200,000 SHU
  • Origin: Trinidad and Tobago
  • Appearance and flavor: The 7 Pot Jonah pepper is a red and wrinkled pepper that has a fruity and sweet flavor with an intense heat. Considered one of the hottest peppers in the world.
  • Culinary uses: People use it in sauces, marinades, and in meat dishes.
  • Health benefits: Peppers are a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants.
  • Precautions: Use it with caution as it is hot. It may cause discomfort or allergic reactions in some individuals.

Health benefits of Pepper

Conclusion of 20 hottest peppers in the world

In conclusion, the world of peppers is diverse and intense. From the mild to the extremely hot, peppers offer a range of flavors and health benefits. The 20 hottest peppers in the world, with their Scoville ratings ranging from 1.5 million to over 2 million, are not for the faint of heart. Whether you’re a spice lover or a heat seeker, these peppers are sure to leave a lasting impression.

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