Top 10 Hottest Peppers in the World
When it comes to heat, nothing compares to the world’s hottest peppers. These super hot varieties represent decades of selective breeding, testing, and patience pushing the limits of what a pepper can be.
Below, we rank the top 10 hottest peppers in the world based on Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Whether you’re a grower, heat seeker, or just pepper-curious, this list breaks down what makes each pepper legendary, and why they deserve respect.
⚠️ Handle all super hot peppers with care. These are not beginner varieties.
How Pepper Heat Is Measured (Quick Refresher)
Pepper heat is measured using the Scoville Scale, which quantifies the concentration of capsaicinoids, the compounds responsible for heat, in Scoville Heat Units (SHUs).
The higher the SHU, the hotter the pepper.
Modern testing uses High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to provide accurate, repeatable measurements. For a deep dive into how this works, check out How Pepper Heat is Measured: Understanding Scoville Heat Units.
Top 10 Hottest Peppers in the World
#1. Pepper X — 2,693,000 SHUs (Official)
Species: Capsicum chinense
Breeder: Ed Currie (USA)
In August 2023, Guinness World Records officially crowned Pepper X the hottest pepper ever recorded. Averaging 2.69 million SHUs, it surpassed the Carolina Reaper by a massive margin.
Pepper X features a gnarly, bulbous shape with a yellow-green hue and extreme capsaicin concentration. While officially recognized, seeds are not publicly available, keeping Pepper X firmly in legendary territory. Learn more about Pepper X!
#2. Carolina Reaper — Up to 2,200,000 SHUs
Species: Capsicum chinense
Breeder: Ed Currie (USA)
The Carolina Reaper dominated the heat world for nearly a decade. Known for its wrinkled red skin and iconic “stinger,” it delivers brutal heat paired
with surprisingly fruity flavor if you can get past the burn.
Still considered the hottest pepper most growers can realistically grow.
#3. Trinidad Moruga Scorpion — Up to 2,009,000 SHUs
Species: Capsicum chinense
Origin: Trinidad & Tobago
Once the world’s hottest pepper, the Moruga Scorpion delivers intense, creeping heat that builds over time. During testing, researchers reported capsaicin penetrating multiple layers of gloves, a rare distinction.
#4. 7 Pot Douglah (Chocolate 7 Pot) — Up to 1,854,000 SHUs
Species: Capsicum chinense
Origin: Trinidad
The hottest known chocolate-colored pepper, the 7 Pot Douglah combines deep, earthy flavor with devastating heat. It’s darker, oilier, and often hotter than many brighter super hots.
#5. Primotalii — 1,000,000–2,200,000 SHUs (Unofficial)
Species: Capsicum chinense
Origin: United Kingdom
A cross between the 7 Pot Primo and Fatalii, Primotalii peppers feature long stingers and violent heat. While not Guinness-certified, many growers believe it rivals the Carolina Reaper in intensity.
#6. Trinidad Scorpion “Butch T” — 1,463,700 SHUs
Species: Capsicum chinense
Discoverer: Butch Taylor
This pepper held the world record in 2011 and helped define what “super hot” truly meant. Brutal, fast-acting heat with little mercy.
#7. Naga Viper — Up to 1,382,000 SHUs
Species: Capsicum chinense
Origin: United Kingdom
A controversial hybrid that briefly held a Guinness title, the Naga Viper is wildly hot but genetically unstable. Expect variation and serious burn.
#8. Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) — Up to 1,042,000 SHUs
Species: Capsicum chinense
Origin: India
The first pepper to officially cross the 1 million SHU mark, the Ghost Pepper remains one of the most famous super hots in the world. It’s widely grown, widely feared, and still incredibly hot.
#9. 7 Pot Barrackpore — Up to 1,300,000 SHUs
Species: Capsicum chinense
Origin: Trinidad
Large, bumpy pods with consistent, crushing heat. Less flashy than others on this list, but absolutely no less dangerous.
#10. 7 Pot Jonah (Red Giant) — 800,000–1,200,000 SHUs
Species: Capsicum chinense
Origin: Trinidad & Tobago
A massive 7 Pot variety with thick walls and sustained heat. Known for size, power, and versatility in powders and sauces.
Growing or Handling Super Hot Peppers
These peppers demand:
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- Patience (longer growing seasons)
- Proper spacing and support
- Strict safety precautions when harvesting or processing
They are not beginner peppers, but for experienced growers, they’re among the most rewarding plants you can grow.
Final Thoughts
The race for the world’s hottest pepper is ongoing, but these ten varieties represent the upper limits of natural pepper heat, at least for now. Whether you’re fascinated by the science, planning your next grow, or just love pushing boundaries, understanding these peppers helps you appreciate how far pepper breeding has come.
Want to grow your own super hots?
Explore our growing guides and learn how to handle, grow, and harvest super hot peppers safely and successfully.