Pepper X

Pepper X
SpeciesCapsicum chinense
BreederEd Currie
OriginFort Mill, South Carolina, United States
Heat Exceptionally hot
Scoville scaleOn average: 2,693,000 SHU

Pepper X is a cultivar of chili pepper recognized by Guinness World Records in 2023 as the world's hottest chili pepper. It was bred by Ed Currie, the creator of the Carolina Reaper.

Development

Pepper X is a crossbreed of a Carolina Reaper and a pepper sent to Currie by a friend. Currie and his team began developing the pepper around 2013. According to Currie, only 5 people, including himself, had ever eaten a whole Pepper X as of 2023.

Details

Pepper X measures an average of 2.693 million Scoville heat units (SHU), beating the previous world record of 1.64 million SHU held by the Carolina Reaper. While the seeds of the chili pepper produce no capsaicin, the chemical that produces the pepper's heat, the chemical is produced in highest concentration within the placental tissue holding the seeds. As claimed by Guinness World Records, the curves and ridges of a Pepper X chili create more surface area for its placenta to grow.

Criticism

Pepper X's heat status has been criticized, because independent testing of the pepper has not been performed.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Hottest chilli pepper". Guinness World Records Ltd. 23 August 2023. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Kim, Chloe (17 October 2023). "Guinness World Records crowns new hottest pepper". BBC News. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  3. ↑ Hultquist, Mike (23 February 2018). "Pepper X – Latest News and Information". Chili Pepper Madness. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  4. ↑ Saelinger, Tracy (29 September 2017). "'World's hottest pepper' will make you choke, sweat and cry for mercy". Today, NBC News. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  5. ↑ "Chile Information – Frequently Asked Questions". New Mexico State University – College of Agriculture and Home Economics. 2005. Archived from the original on 4 May 2007. Retrieved 17 May 2007.
  6. ↑ Schoenherr, Daniel (December 14, 2023). "Pepper wars: Michigan grower disputes Pepper X's record for world's hottest pepper". Great Lakes Echo.