Carolina Reaper Pepper

The Carolina Reaper is a cultivar of the Capsicum chinense plant. Developed by American breeder Ed Currie, the pepper is red and gnarled, with a bumpy texture and small pointed tail. In 2017, Guinness World Records declared it the hottest chili pepper in the world, surpassing the previous record set by the Trinidad Scorpion.

The Carolina Reaper (Capsicum chinense) is an exceptionally hot chili pepper, officially recognized as one of the hottest in the world. Developed in South Carolina, it belongs to the Capsicum genus and typically measures between 1,400,000 and 2,200,000 Scoville Heat Units. Its distinctive wrinkled red skin and pointed tail give it a fierce appearance. Despite its searing heat, the Carolina Reaper offers a surprisingly fruity, sweet flavor with hints of cinnamon and chocolate. It is commonly used in extreme hot sauces, spice blends, and marinades, where only tiny amounts are needed to deliver intense, long-lasting heat and complex flavor.