Top 10 Hottest Peppers (2024 Update)

Top 10 Hottest Peppers in the World

When it comes to the World's Hottest Peppers, nothing really compares. So much time, dedication, and testing has gone into developing these showstoppers. Their origin stories, heat levels/taste, and appearance are truly incredible. Continue reading to learn more about the top 10 hottest peppers in the world! If you are feeling adventurous, try growing some of these super hots and experience what it's all about! 

Scoville Scale

In case you were wondering how the heat level of these peppers is graded, let us explain. The heat level of peppers is measured on the Scoville Scale. You may know it as the Chili Heat Scale or the Chile Scoville Scale. The Scoville Scale is a measurement of the heat and pungency of chili peppers where each pepper is recorded in Scoville Heat Units (or famously known as SHUs). SHUs are a way of quantifying how spicy a pepper is by measuring the concentration of capsaicinoids. Capsaicin is the chemical responsible for the spicy sensation within a pepper. This scale is named after its creator, Wilbur Scoville, who created the Scoville Organoleptic Test in 1912.

• #1. Pepper X - 2,693,000 SHUs

• As of August 23, 2023, Pepper X was announced as the hottest chili pepper in the world, according to Guinness World Records. Pepper X was created by the expert grower Ed Currie of Puckerbutt Pepper Company based out of South Carolina. The official testing and recorded heat levels averaged over 2.5 million Scoville heat units (SHUs). This is significantly higher than the Carolina Reaper pepper which previously held the hottest pepper title. Pepper X measures nearly twice as much as the Reaper, so it is no joke when it comes to heat.

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  These pepper pods have a unique yellowish-green color with a similar shape to The Carolina Reaper. They both have a bulbous shape and bumpy texture. For more details on this scorching pepper, check our blog on Pepper X. There is still a lot we don't know about this pepper as the seeds have not been publically released.

Photo from NBC News.

#2. Carolina Reaper Pepper - 2,200,000 SHUs

If you are a super hot pepper fan, you are most likely familiar with the iconic Carolina Reaper pepper. In 2013, The Guinness Book of World Records declared the Carolina Reaper the “World’s Hottest Pepper." Like Pepper X, the Carolina Reaper was developed by Ed Currie. Ed created the Carolina Reaper by crossing the Pakistani Naga Viper with a sweet, red Habanero pepper. The result was a truly astonishing pepper with insane heat. 

Our Carolina Reaper Seeds produce peppers with average heat levels of 1,569,300 SHUs, but individual peppers have been known to reach up to 2,000,000-2,200,000 SHUs! It is also referred to as the HP22B pepper. The original Carolina Reapers are fiery red with little stingers and very wrinkly skin. If you are ready to test your heat tolerance, check out our Carolina Reaper Products! 

#3. Moruga Trinidad Scorpion Pepper - 2,009,000 SHUs

Once a previous world record holder as the hottest pepper in the world, the Moruga Trinidad Scorpion chili was developed at the New Mexico State University Chili Pepper Institute and is dangerously hot! This pepper held the prestigious honor in 2012, but was quickly stripped of its title by the Carolina Reaper. 

With Scoville Heat units of 1,550,000-2,000,000, this our Moruga Pepper Seeds will certainly shock you. While being tested, a senior research specialist went through four pairs of latex gloves when handling it, saying "The capsaicin kept penetrating the latex and getting on our hands...this has never happened before."

#4. 7 Pot Douglah Pepper - 1,854,000 SHUs

The fourth hottest pepper in the world is the mighty 7 Pot Douglah pepper. This very rare variation of the 7 Pot family has a dark brown almost deep purple color and is sometimes referred to as the Chocolate 7 Pot. 

When tested on the Scoville Heat Scale at the NMSU Chile Pepper Institute, the 7 Pot Douglah pepper was as high as 1,800,000 Scoville Heat Units. Don't miss out on our 7 Pot pepper seeds and 7 Pot Pepper Spices!

#5. Primotalii Pepper - 1,469,000 SHUs

Also spelled Primotailii, this bad boy is absolutely one of the hottest peppers to ever exist! In 2012, this chili was created by Chris Saunders. It is a cross between the 7 Pot Primo and the Fatalii pepper. The Primotalii pepper feels just as hot as the Carolina Reapers and Scorpions, but we’re not sure of the heat level - officially. 

Heat levels for the Primotalii are said to be over 1,000,000 SHUs, and as high as 2,200,000 SHUs. These pods boast long stingers that appeared in the F2 stage of breeding, and phenotypes were chosen to stabilize that characteristic. Today, the variety is considered stable. 

#6. Butch "T" Trinidad Scorpion Pepper - 1,464,000 SHUs

Coming in at number six is the Butch "T" Trinidad Scorpion pepper. It became world-famous when it broke all records in the Guinness Book of World Records back in 2011. It was discovered by Butch Taylor in his patch of Trinidad Scorpion Peppers. Once he gave it a taste, he knew it was different from the rest.

The Scorpion Butch pepper is a very exclusive pepper that is quite hard to find. This chili is a Trinidad Scorpion strain. With a Scoville Heat Level of 1,463,700, it doesn't disappoint in the heat department.

#7. Naga Viper Pepper - 1,349,000 SHUs

Next on the list of hottest peppers in the world is the Naga Viper pepper. This saucer-shaped pepper was created in Cumbria, a small county in England, and is a 3-way cross of the Naga Morich, Bhut Jolokia, and Trinidad Scorpion. Some say the 7 Pot pepper was also involved in creating this.

The Naga Vipe pepper appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the hottest peppers in the world for a short period of time. Later it was discovered that it was not grown out for 8 full generations to make it a completely stable variety. Either way, if you grow these seeds, you will have HOT peppers with a Scoville Heat Level of roughly 1,382,000. 

#8. Ghost Pepper - 1,042,000 SHUs

The Red Ghost Pepper, AKA the Bhut Jolokia chili, is an heirloom variety coming from India. The hot Ghost Pepper chili took the crown in 2007, and held the record for 4 years! Although this pepper was dethroned, it is a very famous variety that many pepper enthusiasts can't wait to get their hands on. It is actually the hottest commercially grown pepper in the world!  

Most ghost peppers run around the 900,000 SHUs mark, but they have been recorded at over 1,000,000 SHUs. As one of the spiciest peppers in the world, the Indian Army once weaponized these to make chili hand grenades. Our collection of Ghost Pepper Products has everything from seeds, live plants, hot sauces, and much more.

#9. 7 Pot Barrackpore Pepper - 1,000,000 SHUs

Nearing the end of our list is the 7 Pot Barrackpore pepper. It is a rare variation of a 7 Pot. This super hot gets its name from the town in which it was originally discovered – Barrakpore, Trinidad. With a Scoville Heat Level of 1,000,000-1,300,000, this wicked pepper will knock your socks off every time. The Barrackpore gets to be about 3 inches long, has dimples and a wrinkly appearance, and sometimes grows a tail.

#10. 7 Pot Jonah Pepper (Red Giant) - 1,000,000 SHUs

Lastly, we have the 7 Pot Jonah Pepper, originating from Trinidad & Tobago. It is a larger 7 Pot variety that is assumed to be related to the Trinidad Scorpion pepper for its intense heat with a Scoville Heat Level of 800,000-1,200,000. These pods can get as large as a Raquetball (around 2 inches) and sometimes grow a Scorpion tail.