Chillies are so popular in many countries for adding spice and heat to food. Some chillies are mild, while others are extremely hot. Among all, one chilli stands out as the hottest in the world. This article will tell you about the hottest chilli, where it from, how it is and why people should be very careful while using it in cooking or eating.
Hottest Chilli in the World
The Carolina Reaper is known as the world’s hottest chilli. It can reach over 2.2 million SHU (Scoville Heat Units), which is the scale used to measure how hot a pepper is. This chilli is a mix of two other hot peppers – the Naga Viper and Habanero. It is grown in South Carolina, USA.
What is the Carolina Reaper?
The Carolina Reaper was made by Ed Currie, a chilli grower in the USA. It has been named the world’s hottest chilli by the Guinness World Records. It is about 900 times hotter than a regular jalapeno. It has a ”stinger tail,” a very strong burning taste and a little sweet fruity flavour.
What happens if you Eat It?
If you eat even a small bite of this chilli, you may feel:
- Sweating
- Burning in the mouth
- Hiccups
- Crying or dizziness
Because of its heat, it is used in very small amounts in hot sauces and spice powders.
How is Chilli Heat Measured?
The heat of chillies is measured using the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) scale. The higher the number, the hotter the chilli. The SHU is based on the amount of capsicum, the chemical that causes the burning feeling.
Top-7 Hottest in the World
Carolina Reaper stands as the hottest chilli in the world which reaches over 2.2 million Scoville Heat Unit (SHU), followed by Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, 7 Pot Douglah and 7 Pot Prime.
Here is the list of top-7 hottest chillies in the world:
Rank | Chillies Name | SHU (Approx.) | Origin |
1. | Carolina Reaper | 2,200,000 | USA |
2. | Trinidad Moruga Scorpion | 2,009,231 | Trinidad & Tobago |
3. | 7 Pot Douglah | 1,853,936 | Trinidad |
4. | 7 Pot Primo | 1,469,000 | USA |
5. | Bhut Jolokia | 1,041,427 | India |
6. | Naga Viper | 1,349,000 | United Kingdom |
7. | Infinity Chilli | 1,067,286 | United Kingdom |