Guinness World Records officially recognised Pepper X as the world’s hottest chilli. With an average heat of 2,693,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), it surpassed the Carolina Reaper’s previous record of approximately 1.64 million SHU.
Pepper X was developed by Ed Currie, the breeder who also created the Carolina Reaper. Currie spent more than ten years developing and stabilising this exceptionally hot variety.
Pepper X was developed over more than ten years using carefully selected superhot chilli varieties. The result was a pepper with record-breaking heat far beyond the Carolina Reaper’s previous average.
Pepper X owes its extreme heat to capsaicinoids, the compounds responsible for the burning sensation produced by chilli peppers. Guinness World Records reports an average of 2,693,000 SHU; individual test results reached even higher levels.
Pepper X is not defined by heat alone. Its flavour is often described as earthy, with a complex character that develops before the full burn takes over.
Because Pepper X is exceptionally hot, it must be handled with extreme care. Wear gloves, avoid contact with the eyes and face, and keep products containing it away from children and pets. If the heat becomes overwhelming, dairy products may provide more relief than water.
