What Is the Scoville Rating of the World's Hottest Chili Pepper? A Ranking Overview

In 1912, American scientist Wilbur Scoville created the "Scoville Organoleptic Test" experiment and also invented the unit "Scoville" specifically used to measure the spiciness of chili peppers. So how many degrees is the world's hottest chili pepper? Which varieties make up the top ten biggest chili peppers? Let's take a look.

1. How many degrees is the world's hottest chili pepper?

The Dragon's Breath chili pepper is the hottest chili pepper in the world. It was jointly developed by researchers at the University of Nottingham in the UK and farmer Mike Smith. With a spiciness of 2.48 million SHU, it surpasses the previous hottest chili pepper, the "Carolina Reaper," which reaches 1.6 million SHU, as well as the U.S. military's pepper spray, which reaches 2 million SHU.

2. Ranking of the world's hottest chili peppers

1. Dragon's Breath chili pepper

Spiciness: 2.48 million units

In the latest Guinness World Record, the Reaper chili pepper tops the list. According to experts, eating it may be fatal, and so far no one in the world has eaten it. Calculated according to the Scoville spiciness scale, its spiciness is as high as 2.48 million units, exceeding the Carolina Reaper by 28 units. Although it has not been certified, it is already the world's number one in name and reality.

This chili pepper is extremely dangerous. Because it is so spicy, it is like a dragon breathing on you, giving you the feeling that you could die at any moment, so it is also called the "sensory monster."

Because of its extremely high spiciness, Dragon's Breath has medical uses. Scientists at Nottingham Trent University in the UK say that the oil extracted from the chili pepper can numb the skin, and for this reason it can be used in third world countries to replace anesthetics, and can also help those who are allergic to traditional anesthetics.

2. Carolina Reaper chili pepper

Spiciness: 2.2 million units

The world record-holding chili pepper of 2013. After a boy took on the reckless challenge, he fainted directly and his family called the police.

3. Trinidad Scorpion Butch T chili pepper

Spiciness: 1,460,000

A type of yellow lantern chili pepper, bright red in appearance and about the size of a 1 Australian dollar coin, it is a mutated variety.

4. Naga Viper chili pepper

Spiciness: 1,382,118

It was crossbred from 3 known chili peppers that are the hottest to humans. Its spiciness is unbelievable, able to make people burst into tears, feel as if their throat is on fire, and have a runny nose that will not stop.

5. Bhut Jolokia

Spiciness: 1,041,427

This chili pepper was originally used by local residents to prevent elephant herds from intruding into residential areas. Today, it has become a riot-control weapon for the military. India's largest armed police force uses "chili grenades" to suppress riots in Kashmir, and the Uttar Pradesh police have also asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to allow the use of "chili grenades" to control riots.

6. Mexican Savina Habanero Red chili pepper (Devil's Pepper)

Spiciness: 350,000 - 580,000

Even eating a small bite of the Devil's Pepper can make people unable to bear the spiciness. Eating a small slice of raw Devil's Pepper can make a person's tears and mucus flow freely. A whole Devil's Pepper is simply a severe assault on the sensory organs. Some people say that it feels like drinking a cocktail mixed from battery fluid and broken glass.

7. Shenjiao No. 1

Spiciness: 470000-520000

According to spiciness testing by the Taiwan, China Chili Pepper Botanical Garden, Shenjiao No. 1 has a spiciness of 470,000-520,000 Scoville units and reaches level 8 spiciness, making it the spiciest chili pepper in China. This variety is known as China's "Devil's Pepper."

8. Habanero chili pepper

Spiciness: 100,000 - 350,000

Before ripening, the Habanero chili pepper is also green; but after ripening, it suddenly becomes gorgeous, changing from orange-yellow to orange and then to bright red, and when even riper it becomes a pinkish dark brown. If you can withstand its insane spiciness, you can taste a hint of citrus flavor as well as floral fragrance, which is why it has become a favorite of chefs. Mexicans have also developed a new trick: soaking it in tequila for a few weeks to make the liquor's flavor even stronger.

9. Scotch Bonnet chili pepper

Spiciness: 100,000 - 325,000

Often used as hot sauce, and in many African countries it is often used in cooking as this kind of hot sauce.

10. Bird's Eye Chili

Spiciness: 100,000 - 225,000

It is smaller than ordinary chili peppers, bright red in color, and the smaller it is, the spicier it is. It is also an essential seasoning for Thai sweet, sour, and spicy chicken, with a pungent and delicious taste. Compared with the world's hottest chili peppers, there is still a big gap.

The above is an introduction to the varieties of the world's hottest chili peppers. As soon as a person's mouth touches an extremely spicy chili pepper, the receptors in the mouth immediately warn the brain, and the mouth goes numb. If it is a part with a high capsaicin concentration, after the mouth goes numb, blisters will begin to form one by one. If you unfortunately swallow it, blisters will also form in your throat.

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