The Guinness World Records has recognized Pepper X as the hottest chili pepper in the world, surpassing the previous record holder, the Carolina Reaper.
The intense heat of Pepper X can last for hours. (Photo: USA Today).
The average heat level of Pepper X reaches 2.69 million SHU (Scoville Heat Units). On the SHU scale, 0 indicates no heat, while a typical jalapeño pepper has a heat level of around 5,000 SHU. In comparison, pepper spray used for self-defense measures around 1.6 million SHU, as reported by Popular Science on October 17.
Winthrop University in South Carolina calculated the Scoville scale based on samples collected over the past four years. Pepper X is greenish-yellow in color with numerous grooves and ridges along its body. According to five brave individuals who have tried it, Pepper X has an earthy flavor once the initial heat sensation begins to subside.
This chili pepper breaks the decade-long record of the Carolina Reaper at 1.64 million SHU, but both peppers were developed by the same chili expert to increase their heat levels. Ed Currie is the founder of the PuckerButt Pepper Company. He started working on Pepper X after the Carolina Reaper first set its record in 2013.
Creating a new chili variety requires several years for desired traits to emerge through selective breeding. Hybrid peppers take about ten generations to stabilize with predictable traits and consistent fruiting. Pepper X is a hybrid between Carolina Reaper and a chili variety that Currie has not disclosed. His goal was to create an extremely hot pepper that also has a minimal sweet flavor. The heat of Pepper X is so intense that even experts like Currie grimace in pain.
Additionally, the “killer” chili Pepper X has an earthy taste after the heat sensation begins to fade. Pepper X is considered unattractive yet is reportedly 1,000 times hotter than regular peppers and has the potential… to be lethal, according to An Ninh Thủ Đô.
“I felt the intense heat for 3.5 hours. Then, the cramps began. The cramps were terrible. I had to lean against a marble wall for about an hour in pain, moaning from the agony,” Currie shared.
A chemical in chili called capsaicin is responsible for the burning sensation when consuming hot varieties like the Carolina Reaper or Pepper X. Humans and other mammals perceive capsaicin as a threat when ingested. This sends a burning signal throughout the body.
Ed Currie – the creator of the world’s hottest chili.
The burning sensation also triggers the release of endorphins and dopamine in the body. Currie, who has poured his heart into growing peppers after overcoming addiction to drugs and alcohol, sees this as a natural progression. He shares his peppers with medical researchers and hopes they can be used to treat patients suffering from chronic pain or discomfort.
Currie is also working to build a hot sauce empire through his company, PuckerButt. However, despite having learned many business lessons over the past decade and attracting public attention, most of his products do not align with consumer tastes and have not turned a profit.
According to epidemiologist Paul D. Terry at the University of Tennessee, the short-term effects of consuming extremely spicy foods range from enjoying the heat to experiencing uncomfortable burning sensations on the lips, tongue, and mouth. Spicy foods can also cause significant digestive discomfort, headaches, and vomiting. Therefore, individuals who have experienced such effects should avoid consuming them.
