Are you wondering who holds the title for the Guinness World Records hottest pepper? Guinness World Records has notified Smokin’ Ed Currie and the Puckerbutt Pepper Company. Smokin’ Ed’s Carolina Reaper is once again officially the world’s hottest chili pepper.
Smokin’ Ed’s Carolina Reaper
Guinness has now recognized a new Smokin’ Ed’s record average of 1,641,000 SHU (Scoville Heat Units). This became effective on August 11, 2017. The figure is over 71,000 SHU hotter than its groundbreaking 2013 record. In comparison, Jalapeno peppers rate at 2,500 to 8,000 SHU.
Recent lab tests measured peak levels of over 2,189,000 SHU. After the Guinness-required recertification, Smokin’ Ed’s signature pepper reclaimed its undisputed place at the top of the ‘super-hot’ chili charts.
As the plant phenotype has matured, Smokin’ Ed’s C.R. chili pepper has grown even hotter than its previous world record. Unlike recent, questionable claims about the “world’s hottest” peppers, the Guinness recertification required rigorous third-party scientific data to support the new record.
Understanding Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
The Scoville Heat Units (SHU) scale is the way to measure how spicy chili peppers are. Smokin’ Ed’s reaper pepper is much hotter than many popular peppers on this scale. A habanero pepper can reach up to 350,000 SHU, and a ghost pepper can go over 1,000,000 SHU. But the Carolina Reaper has been tested in labs with peaks above 2,189,000 SHU. This shows how strong its heat really is. The pepper’s top spot is proven not just by stories, but by careful lab tests.
Carolina Reaper vs. Other Super-Hot Peppers
How It Compares to Ghost Pepper and Habanero Pepper
Among the most famous peppers in the world of hot peppers are the ghost pepper and habanero pepper. Both are known for their strong heat and unique flavor. However, the Carolina Reaper pepper is even hotter. This is not only because it holds record-breaking Scoville Heat Units (SHU) but also because it has been verified by scientists and recognized by the media. This makes it a legend for hot pepper fans and chili growers everywhere.
Breeding Guinness World Records Hottest Pepper: Smokin’ Ed’s Carolina Reaper
Meet the man behind Guinness World Records hottest pepper ” Smokin’ Ed’s Carolina Reaper”.
More on the hottest chili pepper
Look for more information from Smokin’ Ed Currie and Puckerbutt Pepper Company on their award-winning achievement soon and at the NYC Hot Sauce Expo on April 21-22, 2018!
Ed Currie, the founder of Puckerbutt Pepper Company, grows more than 15,000 chile pepper plants at 30 sites in North and South Carolina, plus sites in four other states and at his home. According to an article published by the Los Angeles Times newspaper, Currie considers the location of the plots as state secrets for fear that competitors sneak in and steal their peppers.
Scientific Testing and Validation
To verify and document the extreme heat of the Carolina Reaper, Ed Currie worked with experts at Winthrop University in South Carolina. The university’s chemistry team ran several independent tests using high-performance liquid chromatography. These tests ensured very clear results. This partnership confirms the scientific truth of the Guinness record and sets a new standard for checking heat levels in peppers.
It took 12 years of crossbreeding for Currie to reach the pinnacle of the pepper world, said the LA Times. He said he tested hundreds of hybrid combinations before finally crossing a “really nastily hot” La Soufriere pepper from the Caribbean island of St. Vincent and a Naga pepper from Pakistan to create Smokin Ed’s C.R. — “a tidal wave of scorching fire,” as the PuckerButt website puts it.
PBPC, LLC is home to Smokin’ Ed’s Carolina Reaper – the Guinness World Records hottest pepper. The company sells USDA Organic, high-quality, Kosher, and all-natural products. These include smokin’-hot mashes, sauces, fresh peppers, dried peppers, powders, seeds, and other specialty items. You can find them in stores across the country or on their website.
www.puckerbuttpeppercompany.com
We’re curious: Have you ever tried Smokin’ Ed’s Carolina Reaper chili pepper?
Information provided by PRNewswire.