If you’re a spice enthusiast on the hunt for the ultimate heat, your local farmers market might just be the treasure trove you’re looking for. The world of chillies is as diverse as it is fiery, with varieties that challenge even the bravest taste buds. These peppers are ranked by the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) scale, which measures the concentration of capsaicin—the compound responsible for their burn.
Here are a few legendary chillies to keep an eye out for:
🌶 Carolina Reaper
Currently crowned the world’s hottest pepper by Guinness World Records, the Carolina Reaper boasts an average of 1.64 million SHU, with peaks over 2.2 million. Its wrinkled red skin and scorpion-like tail are unmistakable. Despite its heat, it offers a sweet, fruity flavor—perfect for hot sauces, but a risky choice to eat raw.
🌶 Dragon’s Breath
Originally bred in the UK for medicinal use, this chilli reaches up to 2.48 million SHU. Its numbing effects sparked interest as a natural anaesthetic. Due to its extreme heat, it’s rarely used in cooking and should be handled with care.
🌶 Pepper X
Another creation by Ed Currie (the mind behind the Reaper), Pepper X is rumored to hit 3.18 million SHU. Though not officially recognized yet, it’s already a legend thanks to its starring role in “The Last Dab” hot sauce.
🌶 Trinidad Moruga Scorpion
Once the hottest pepper in the world, this variety from Trinidad and Tobago averages 1.2 million SHU, with some pods reaching 2 million. Its deceptive sweetness quickly gives way to a fiery burn, making it a favorite among thrill-seeking spice lovers.