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The scorpion pepper and Carolina reaper are the two most formidable peppers in the chili hierarchy. But are they the same? What’s the difference between scorpion pepper vs Carolina reaper?
Scorpion pepper and Carolina reaper distinctively differ in heat level and appearance. Carolina Reaper is hotter than scorpion pepper and has this fearful gnarled and bumpy texture, with a small pointed tail. In contrast, scorpion peppers are small and look wrinkled, with some species having a scorpion stinger tail.
Aside from their heat level, Carolina reaper and scorpion peppers are used interchangeably in fresh salsa, chili, soups, stews, and hot sauces.
It’s worth noting that these peppers are heat champions; they have both held the Guinness Book of Record title as the “world’s hottest pepper.”
Now, let’s take a closer look at what sets these peppers aside from each other!
What Is Scorpion Pepper?
First and foremost, there isn’t a particular pepper called Scorpion pepper.
There are varieties of this scorpion-like tail chili, and all are notoriously HOT.
Let’s take, for instance, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion (at 2,009,231 SHU) and the Trinidad scorpion ‘Butch T’ pepper (at 1,463,700 SHU).
Both of these peppers are award-winning chili at their time.
While they might lack the Reaper’s stinger, they both are deadly — even if it is CARDI, their Lil sister that is huge.
So DO NOT be deceived!
Came straight from the depths of hell, Scorpion peppers is a cultivar of the capsicum Chinese.
A bite of this formidable pepper builds gradually as the stung of a scorpion.
What Is Carolina Reaper?
Carolina Reaper sounds like a personification of Death as either an older man or a skeleton carrying a scythe, taking souls to the afterlife.
Only it can be. The look only is scarily HOT — with a gnarled, lumpy pod and a scythe-like tail.
Carolina Reaper is currently the hottest pepper on the planet KNOWN to man.
It is a cultivar of the Capsicum Chinense plant bred for hotness by the U.S. breeder Ed Currie.
He bred the Reaper by crossing a Ghost Pepper and a Red Habanero —creating a whole new pepper with an unimaginable heat.
This pepper broke the record as the world’s hottest pepper in 2013 — surpassing the previous world’s champion, the Trinidad Scorpion “Butch T.”
In 2018, the Reaper was tested again and appeared to be even higher in SH — 71,000 SHU higher than before.
On average, the Carolina Reaper is 1,641,000 SHU and 2.2 Million SHU at its peak!
They are not one to be joked with!
Here are some CRAZY FACTS about the Carolina Reaper:
- They are 200x hotter than a Jalapeno.
- It is so strong; you will need a glove to hold it.
- The Reaper is the same species as the famously fiery Scotch bonnet pepper.
- It is not the seeds that make this chili “Super-Hot”; it is the white flesh nearest the seeds.
- Only mammals feel the heat; they DO NOT affect birds at all!
Scorpion Pepper Vs Carolina Reaper — Battle Of The Hottest Pepper
Which is hotter: Scorpion pepper vs Carolina Reaper?
In terms of heat level, the Carolina Reaper surpasses the scorpion pepper.
Again, the Caroline Reaper is the current world’s hottest pepper 2021 at a whopping 2,200,000 SHU.
Scorpion pepper might be taking an L on this, but they have also earned respect among the hottest peppers.
NO CAP, they are one of the world’s spiciest chilies with a Scoville Heat Unit of about 2,009,231 million — Trinidad Scorpion Moruga to be precise.
Aside from their heat level, both are used interchangeably in fresh salsa, chili, soups, stews, and hot sauces.
You can even bake them into cornbread or mixing into ground beef to make your unique spicy burgers.
But it would be best if you learned how to use them moderately, with utmost care.
Appearance-wise, they look distinctively different. The Reaper has this fearful gnarled and bumpy texture, with a small pointed tail.
Meanwhile, the scorpion peppers are small, wrinkled peppers that look angry — and some species with a scorpion stinger tail.
Will Eating a Carolina Reaper Kill You?
Eating a Carolina Reaper won’t Kill You, and neither will other super-hot chilies.
If anything, it could cause vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain.
The truth is:
They CANNOT burn or tear through your organs.
Although both scorpion and Carolina reaper peppers can cause a thunderclap headache —if taken excess.
You might experience serious stress responses, as well.
Is It Healthy to Eat Carolina Reaper?
Of course, they are.
Carolina Reaper might be fiery, but that doesn’t mean it is not an excellent fruity flavor to boost your meals.
They are ridiculously high in antioxidant carotene and can reduce levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood.
So YES, they are healthy and are worth including in our meals.
Is There a Pepper Hotter Than the Carolina Reaper?
Officially, there isn’t.
But eyes have been on the Dragon’s Breath pepper and Pepper X — also bred by Ed Currie.
These chilies are super-hot, reaching about 2,483,584 and 3.18 million SHU, respectively.
However, they are not confirmed to be the world’s hottest peppers yet.
What Is The 2nd Hottest Pepper in The World?
Aside from the current award-winning Reaper, the hottest pepper in the world is Moruga scorpion / Trinidad moruga.
They are the second world’s hottest pepper: the Trinidad moruga scorpion with about 2 million SHU.
Conclusion
So, this is all you need to know about the scorpion pepper vs Carolina reaper.
The Carolina Reaper ripped the Scorpion peppers on the heat-contest. However, it would be best if you didn’t underestimate the scorpion pepper, as they are also scorching as the Reaper.
Again, if you wish to see more spicy pepper on the hierarchy, ensure to check out this compilation of the hottest peppers in the world.
There we rated them from the hottest to the mildest.
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