This article may contain affiliate links and if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
The world’s hottest pepper is constantly evolving. Every year, a new pepper is created or discovered to break a record. So, we decided to bring you the heat: the most up-to-date list of 27 hottest peppers in the world.
Now, how does that sound?
“See-see-see soo-soo-soo!” But that is the way we love it because we can take the fire and fiery from spicy peppers.
Carolina reaper is still the hottest pepper in the world, beating the likes of Trinidad Moruga Scorpion pepper, seven-pot Douglah, Naga Morich, 7 Pot Primo, etc.
Be WARNED!!!
This list is not for the faint of hearts! Either you are a chilihead that can condone these insanely hot chilies, or you can PACK IT UP and leave!
Now let’s get on with the heat!
27 Hottest Peppers In The World
Below is a list of the hottest peppers in the world according to their Scoville scale:
1. Carolina Reaper — 2,200,000 SHU
Carolina Reaper was once the hottest in 2013 and is still officially the world’s hottest pepper this year.
Guinness world records proclaim it the victor after knocking the previous worlds champion, the Trinidad Scorpion “Butch T” down at the spice contest.
It was tested again in 2017 and appeared to have even a higher SHU than before — with about 71,000 SHU.
The extra fire gives the reaper a come-back title as the world champion.
In addition, the Carolina Reaper is a cultivar of the capsicum Chinese plant bred by the breeder Ed Currie — from crossing Ghost Pepper and a Red Habanero.
The pepper has red and gnarled, with a bumpy texture and a unique stinger tail.
Be careful with this reaper! It can reap out your stomach and cause a thunderclap headache.
But that doesn’t mean it is not an excellent fruity flavor to boost your meals.
2. Trinidad Moruga Scorpion — 2,009,231 SHU
In 2012, the New Mexico State University’s Chile Pepper Institute declared Trinidad Moruga scorpion as the hottest chili with heat of 1.2 million Scoville heat units (SHUs).
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion comes straight from the depths of hell. It is also a cultivar of the Chinese capsicum plant where the Carolina Reaper resides.
A bite of this formidable pepper doesn’t seem so bad at first. Then it builds and builds and builds —it never stops.
So don’t be fooled. Even if it doesn’t have the Reaper stinger, it is every bit as hot as it.
3. 7 Pot Douglah — 1,853,936 SHU
The seven-pot Douglah earned its place in the pepper community as one of the hottest peppers in the world, though with the best flavor.
Not just that. It is the fieriest chili you can find on this earth that isn’t red.
Usually, we believe superhot peppers are traditionally red.
However, douglah defies the odds by being dark chocolate brown and somewhat pimpled. It starts off green but matures fully to brown.
You can never go wrong with fresh, dried, or powdered seven pod douglah in any food.
4. Naga Morich (Aka Dorset Naga) — 1,000,000-1,500,000 SHU
Calling the Naga Morich “fiery” would be an understatement.
Eating this chili raw without taking safety precautions is not ideal, as it unravels the pain from the underworld.
They are also called serpent chili. Imagine what the venomous bite could cause to your system.
5. 7 Pot Primo — 1,469,000 SHU
7 Pot Primo crosses between a Naga Morich and a Trinidad 7 Pot pepper.
For some reason, 7 Pot Primo coincidentally looks like the Carolina Reaper.
It has red and gnarled, with a bumpy texture and a unique stinger tail too. However, it is quite distinctive with its long skinny tail.
And what does that tell you? That it is going to be INSANELY hot.
6. Trinidad Scorpion “Butch T” — 1,463,700 SHU
Brother to the award-winning Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, the butch T is also a champion.
It might appear lower on the list, but it once held the Guinness world record with 1,463,700SHU.
It reigned as the most pungent chili in the world for THREE good years, it was a true hero indeed.
Also, the Butch T got its name from the scorpion stinger it bears. And like every other top pepper, it laser burns like you swallowed 1,000 suns.
7. Naga Viper — 1,349,000 SHU
Naga Viper pepper is also a hot chili pepper with a rating of 1,382,118 Scoville Heat Units and a record in 2011.
It is an unstable three-way hybrid produced from some of the hottest peppers in the world – Naga Morich, Trinidad scorpion, and Bhut jolokia.
8. Gibraltar Naga — 1,086,844 SHU
You can also call them Spanish Naga. They are one of the world’s hottest chilies.
It weighs at a whopping 1,086,844 SHU — reaching over 1.2 million SHU as we speak.
Gibraltar Naga is a long chili-like cayenne. It has a fruity, spicy taste and aroma, making the perfect curry.
9. Infinity Chili Pepper — 1,067,286 SHU
Hails from the UK, the weighs up to 1,067,286 Scoville Heat Units.
The look and SHU alone inspire fear.
Of course, it should because this pepper held the Guinness world record title as the world’s hottest pepper in February 2011.
However, it was knocked out in the SHU Heavyweight champion by the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T pepper on March 1, 2011.
10. Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) — 1,041,427 SHU
The Ghost pepper is the first chili to scientifically test over 1 million Scoville.
Many people still believe it is the world’s hottest pepper due to its popularity. However, this list proves otherwise because we were not in 2007.
But make no mistake, the Ghost pepper can still bring a grown man to his knees.
11. Chocolate Ghost Pepper — 800,000 to 1,001,304 SHU
The chocolate Ghost pepper is a famous weapon for preventing stampeding elephants from wreaking havoc.
This pepper has a scorching, lingering fire that lasts longer than thirty minutes after consumption.
They are about six times hotter than a habanero pepper, 200 times hotter than a jalapeño pepper, and 400 times hotter than Tabasco sauce.
So imagine how intense it could be for your stomach.
12. 7 Pot Barrackpore — 1,000,000 SHU
The 7 Pot Barrackpore is another “Super HOT” pepper that sits prevalently amongst the world’s hottest chilies.
The sight at its wrinkled face with ridges that runs down to its pointed tail tells you how spicy things could get real fast.
This pepper is not only spicy; in terms of flavor, it is pretty bitter and less sweet than the other 7 Pot peppers.
13. 7 Pot Red (Giant) — 1,000,000 SHU
Aren’t you a bit curious why these peppers are called seven pots?
The name was given after their ability to heat seven pots of stew. And there are 100s of varieties.
However, the seven-pot red giant is uniquely different due to its majestic look.
It is a “Super HOT” pepper that burns as though there was hot lava on your throat.
14. Trinidad Scorpion CARDI — 800,000-1,000,000 SHU
Although it is bulky and lengthy in size, the CARDI is like a sister to the regular Trinidad Scorpion.
The chili fruit color is rare and extremely hot. But when compared to the other Trinidad scorpion, it is milder.
The color varies from green to golden yellow during ripening.
15. Chocolate Habanero — 425,000-577,000 SHU
Many spicy food enthusiasts relish this yummy chili, especially in jerk sauce.
But don’t be deceived by the cute name and color of this chili, as it is as hot, if not hotter than most habanero species out there.
16. Red Savina Habanero — 500,000 SHU
Red Savina — the pepper KING.
Red Savina Habanero held the world’s hottest pepper title for 12 YEARS — what a record!
From 1994 to 2006, this distinctively dark spicy red chili strikes a heat and smokiness flavor balance.
Unfortunately, it has passed its prime of heat.
17. Aribibi Gusano — 300,000–470,000 SHU
You can also call them Caterpillar chili. This exotic Chinese pepper looks weird and wonderfully tempting — with its wrinkles, slender, and white color.
The pepper might look friendly; however, it is not as it seems.
They have an intensely hot, citrus flavor. The fruits grow to 1 1/4″ and ripen from light green to creamy white.
18. Caribbean Red Habanero — 450,000 SHU
Another habanero variety that can brighten up your dish is the Caribbean Red Habanero pepper.
It is very spicy, fruity, and slightly smoky in the aroma.
They are one of the populous chilies in Mexico recipes from salsas to hot sauces and many more.
19. Tigerpaw-NR — 348,634 SHU
Tuberose pepper is a superhot, bright orange chili that offers spice for your meals.
While it may not be as famous or beloved as the others, that doesn’t stop it from being extremely hot and worth the try if you are a chilihead.
20. Fatalii Chili Pepper — 125,000-325,000 SHU
Fatalii is a scorching pepper having a fruity, citrus flavor comparable to the Habanero.
No doubt most people relish them in hot sauces.
Biting into them raw might seem easy. Well, that is because you don’t know the Fatalii that well.
Make sure you are with a bowl of water or milk.
21. Devil’s Tongue Pepper — 125,000-325,000 SHU
Devil’s Tongue is among the hottest pepper in the world.
The name alone is enough to make you shudder. The truth is, it doesn’t look scary but NEVER underestimate its heat.
They have a fruity taste while delivering a devilish fire in your mouth.
22. Habanero Pepper — 100,000–350,000 SHU
Habanero is an ancient breeder of the top-rated hot chilies.
The white Habanero tends to have less heat but more flavor.
On the other hand, the orange-colored Habanero is incredibly spicy, so use only a tiny amount as it can easily dominate your dish.
One more thing, Habanero pepper is often used in dares because eating them raw is not a good idea.
23. Scotch Bonnet Pepper — 100,000-350,000 SHU
Scotch Bonnet pepper is similar to the jalapeño pepper.
The pepper is scorching. But it has a sweet, vaguely fruity taste, depending on the soil conditions.
They are famous for seasoning meat, fish, and poultry, particularly in the Caribbean or West Indian pepper sauces.
24. Guyana Wiri Wiri — 100,000-350,000 SHU
Wiri Wiri pepper is medium hot pepper. The 1/2″ round nature might get you to think they can’t bite. However, they have jaws like a lion.
Furthermore, Guyana wiri wiri pepper turns from green to orange to red when mature.
25. Madame Jeanette Chili Pepper — 125,000–325,000 SHU
Madame Jeanette looks very fruity, but it is not to be trifled with lightly.
The pepper is scorching, hotter than the Jalapeno chilies.
The heat is a bomb, yet slightly aromatic when cooking. It ripens from reddish to yellow like Scotch Bonnet with hints of pineapple and mango.
26. White Habanero Pepper — 300,000 SHU
This chili looks beautifully ivory white dynamo. But it comes with a lot of punch.
The white Habanero is 10X hotter than a standard Jalapeno chili, making them fabulous for white-hot sauce.
They are also flavorful for stews and salsas.
27. Zimbabwe Bird Chilli — 50,000-100,000 SHU
And the last on our list is the Bird’s chili — small but quite piquant.
They are similar to the Cayenne pepper but not as hot as the Habenero chili.
You will relish them in salads, soups, and stir-fried dishes. The Bird chili is also extensively famous in many Asian cuisines — be it sauces, pastes, or marinades.
You can either use them as a condiment or eat raw, whether fresh or dried.
Conclusion
Lest I forget, the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) we’ve been talking about all this while is the measure of Spiciness.
It indicates the amount of capsaicin present. The higher the Scoville rating, the hotter the pepper. Additionally, Capsaicin is responsible for producing that spicy sensation within the chili.
That is, by the way. Before going for any of the 27 hottest peppers in the world, you should know your limit.
Do not try to be the most muscular man in the room. Some of these peppers are dangerous to eat without restraint. And those types usually come with a warning, either sold in their new forms or used in hot sauce.
Recommended Posts:
