Carolina Reaper

Carolina Reaper
SpeciesCapsicum chinense
Hybrid parentageNaga pepper x Habanero
BreederEd Currie
OriginFort Mill, South Carolina, U.S.
Heat Exceptionally hot
Scoville scale1,641,183 SHU

The Carolina Reaper chili pepper is a cultivar of the Capsicum chinense plant. Developed by American breeder Ed Currie, the pepper is red and gnarled, with a bumpy texture and small pointed tail. It was the hottest chili pepper in the world according to Guinness World Records from 2013 to 2023 before it was surpassed by Pepper X, which was also developed by Currie.