Pepper X: The Evolution of Heat in the World’s Hottest Peppers
go.ncsu.edu/readext?1050658
en Español / em Português
El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.
Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.
Português
Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.
Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.
English
English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.
Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.
Collapse ▲(This article was written by Angela Mason Foster, Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer)
Pepper X: The Evolution of Heat in the World’s Hottest Peppers
From sweet bell peppers to the searing Carolina Reaper, peppers play a crucial role in cuisines and cultures across the globe. My last visit to the NC State Fair rekindled my fascination with hot peppers and the journey they’ve taken in the world of culinary extremes. This year, one pepper in particular has taken the spotlight: Pepper X, which has dethroned the Carolina Reaper as the world’s hottest pepper. The story behind these peppers is not only about Scoville ratings but also about culture, science, and even a touch of madness.
The world of ultra-hot peppers began captivating global attention with the ghost pepper, or Bhut Jolokia, from Assam, India. In 2007, it earned the title of the world’s hottest pepper, scoring around one million Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This fiery legend sparked a craze of YouTube videos of brave souls testing its scorching bite. Ghost peppers remain popular in hot sauces and cooking but demand careful handling as their heat can cause discomfort.
The ghost pepper’s reign was soon challenged by the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T pepper, developed in Australia, which pushed the limits to about 1.4 million SHU. It quickly lost its throne to a hotter breed: the Carolina Reaper.
The Carolina Reaper, developed by Ed Currie of the PuckerButt Pepper Company in South Carolina, appeared in 2013, averaging 1.64 million SHU, with peaks over 2.2 million SHU. Its small, wrinkled, tail-tipped shape earned it a Guinness World Record as the hottest pepper. Beyond its heat, the Reaper has a fruity, almost sweet flavor, deceiving the uninitiated into thinking it’s mild. But the heat hits within seconds, overwhelming even those used to spicy foods.
As a Carolina Reaper grower, I can attest they demand respect. From the pepper’s lingering oils to the caution needed when cooking, Reapers are beautiful yet formidable. For culinary enthusiasts, they offer incredible flavor depth, perfect for hot sauces and salsas, but are best handled sparingly and with gloves!
Ed Currie didn’t stop with the Carolina Reaper. Over the years, he experimented, crossbreeding peppers in search of something hotter and unique. His dedication has now yielded Pepper X, a pepper that has raised the bar once again. Pepper X measures a staggering 3.18 million SHU, making it the hottest pepper ever recorded. Currie debuted Pepper X on the popular YouTube show Hot Ones, where celebrity guests eat progressively spicier wings. There, he shared his journey of creating this supercharged pepper, designed not just for heat but for flavor.
Pepper X, like its predecessors, has more to offer than just spice. Currie aimed for a nuanced flavor profile, which enthusiasts claim balances floral and earthy notes. He warns that Pepper X isn’t for the faint of heart and shouldn’t be consumed recklessly; the heat can lead to nausea, cramps, and even temporary numbness. However, in sauces, its potent flavor and heat create an unforgettable culinary experience for those who can withstand it.
What’s driving this relentless pursuit of heat? For some, it’s a challenge; for others, an exploration of flavor and chemistry. Peppers like the Reaper and Pepper X contain high levels of capsaicin, a compound that binds to pain receptors, triggering endorphins and providing a rush some find addictive. The thrill and sense of achievement in handling these peppers appeal to spice lovers worldwide, creating a vibrant community of hot pepper growers, chefs, and thrill-seekers.
For anyone interested in exploring hot peppers and fiery fruits bred to test human tolerance, here are some books to try:
- “The Complete Chile Pepper Book: A Gardener’s Guide to Choosing, Growing, Preserving, and Cooking” by Dave DeWitt and Paul W. Bosland – A fantastic resource for pepper enthusiasts with tips on growing, preserving, and cooking a variety of peppers.
- “Peppers of the Americas: The Remarkable Capsicums That Forever Changed Flavor” by Maricel E. Presilla – A beautiful journey through the history and diversity of peppers across the Americas, with descriptions and recipes.
- “Hot Sauce Nation: America’s Burning Obsession” by Denver Nicks – This book dives into the culture and business behind hot sauce and the pepper industry, exploring why America is so captivated by all things spicy.
My visit to the NC State Fair reminded me how something as simple as a pepper can stir excitement, curiosity, and even a bit of fear. Whether you’re a gardener, a cook, or simply a fan of spice, the world of hot peppers is endlessly fascinating and filled with stories as vibrant as the peppers themselves
If you are having an issue in your home garden or landscape, send your questions to Gene Fox, Consumer Horticulture Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, please email Gene at gene_fox@ncsu.edu or call at (252)946-0111. Check out our Facebook page, Beaufort County Master Gardeners, for The Plant of the Week and Finding Info Friday!