VarietiesC. chinenseSuperhotPepper X
SuperhotC. chinenseUnited States

Pepper X

2,693,000Scoville Heat Units

Heat context

Carolina Reaper
Ghost Pepper
Habanero
Pepper X
Botanical data
Heat (SHU)2,693,000
SpeciesC. chinense
OriginUnited States
Days to mature90
Plant height90–120 cm
Wall thicknessMedium
Ripe colourred
YieldModerate
Growth habitBush
Germination7-21
FoliageGreen
Unripe colourgreen

About this variety

Pepper X is a cultivar bred by Ed Currie and recognized by Guinness World Records in 2023 as the world's hottest pepper, averaging 2.693 million SHU. Developed as a crossbreed involving Carolina Reaper genetics, this extreme superhot produces bumpy, wrinkled pods that ripen to a vibrant red. The pepper's heat is reportedly intense and long-lasting, with effects persisting for several hours, making it primarily of interest to extreme heat enthusiasts and hot sauce manufacturers.

Flavour profile

extreme heatfruityslightly sweetbitter finish
Culinary scores
Sauce
9/10
Drying
6/10
Pickling
3/10

Culinary uses

Primarily used in ultra-hot hot sauces and extreme heat challenges. Due to its extraordinary heat level, it requires extreme caution and is typically used in minute quantities or extracts. Not recommended for direct consumption or general cooking applications.

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Quick reference

Heat2,693,000 SHU
SpeciesC. chinense
OriginUnited States
Days to ripe90
Ripe colourred
Best forSauce
Data confidence: 3/5. Sourced from community submissions and verified references. Suggest a correction