The hottest chilli in the world is constantly changing and almost evolving. Nearly every year a new hot and spicy chilli variety is either discovered or created, so keep checking often to find out what is the new record-breaking chilli at present.
The cultivators of chillies are in an arms race to grow the hottest and spiciest varieties – some of them are hot as explosives, and they are only handled wearing proper protective gear. Scoville Heat Units is the standard method of measuring how hot or spicy a chilli is - by quantifying the concentration of capsaicinoids. Capsaicin is the name of the chemical that is responsible for adding the spicy hot sensation to chillies. Below are some of the hottest chillies in the world based on Scoville Heat Units (SHU).
Carolina Reaper: 2,200,000 SHUs
In 2013, it was ranked the hottest pepper in the world - The Carolina Reaper was tested for the second time in 2018, and it revealed an even higher Scoville Heat Unit (precisely 71,000 SHU higher). It renewed the Reaper's title of being the World's Hottest Pepper. This variety was bred for its heat and has an average SHU that can peak up to 2.2 Million.
Red Savina Habanero: 577,000 SHUs
It is over 100 times spicier than a Jalapeno. This variety of chilli held the Guinness World Record for being the hottest from 1994 to 2007, when the Naga variety of chilli occupied the spot. Frank Garcia is credited for producing the Red Savina in California, and the method of propagation has been kept a guarded secret by him.
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion 2,009,231 SHUs
Hailing from the depths of hell - this chilli is also known as Moruga Scorpion. It is a rare and highly-regarded chilli that was discovered very recently. The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion has its origin in the Moruga of Trinidad and Tobago. Just one small bite of this petrifying chilli, and the heat will not stop building for long. It may lack the stinger of the Carolina Reaper variety, but it is just as hot as the latter.
Naga Morich: 900,000 to 1,100,000 SHUs
The Naga Morich is popularly known as 'The Snake.' This pepper is native to Bangladesh, and it has a wrinkly exterior, a lot like the Bhut Jolokia. It has a smaller size and the outer peel is characterized by ribs. As suggested by experts, the flavour of Naga Morich has a less earthy flavour than the Bhut Jolokia.
7 Pods: 1,100,000 to 1,200,000 SHUs
The 7 Pod variety is cultivated in the southern Caribbean (Trinidad). Ranging from a chocolate-coloured variety to a vivid yellow, pineapple-flavoured counterpart, 7 Pods are one of the rarest chillies in the world. Their name suggests that a single 7 Pod chilli is so flaming hot that it can heat seven pots of stew.
Would you dare to try these chillies?
