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Science & Nature • Botany

Carolina Reaper

The Carolina Reaper is a superhot chili pepper cultivar of *Capsicum chinense* developed by breeder Ed Currie in South Carolina, United States.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Carolina Reaper is a superhot chili pepper cultivar of *Capsicum chinense* developed by breeder Ed Currie in South Carolina, United States. It became famous for holding the Guinness World Record for the world’s hottest chili pepper from 2013 until it was surpassed in 2023. The pepper is known for its bright red colour, wrinkled shape, and distinctive pointed tail.

Description

The Carolina Reaper is a small, very hot red pepper with a bumpy surface and a pointed, tail-like tip. Sources describe it as one of the most distinctive-looking superhot peppers.

Origin and breeding

The pepper was developed by Ed Currie of PuckerButt Pepper Company in South Carolina. Sources commonly describe it as a cross between a Pakistani Naga and a red habanero, though some accounts vary slightly on the precise habanero source.

Heat and records

The Carolina Reaper was certified by Guinness World Records as the hottest chili pepper in 2013 and retained that record until 2023, when it was surpassed by Pepper X. Reported heat levels average roughly 1.6 million SHU, with some pods testing above 2.2 million SHU.

Uses

Because of its extreme pungency, the Carolina Reaper is mainly used in hot sauces, spice challenges, and other novelty or extreme-heat food products. It is not generally used as an everyday culinary pepper.

Key facts

  • It is a cultivar of *Capsicum chinense*.
  • Held the Guinness World Record for hottest chili pepper from 2013 to 2023.
  • Average heat around 1.6 million SHU, with peaks over 2.2 million SHU.
  • Bred by Ed Currie in South Carolina.
  • Distinctive appearance: small, wrinkled, bright red with a curved tail.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may encounter the Carolina Reaper in specialty hot sauces, imported peppers, and extreme-spice food products sold in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Carolina Reaper?
A superhot chili pepper cultivar of *Capsicum chinense* bred by Ed Currie in South Carolina.
How hot is the Carolina Reaper?
It is commonly reported at about 1.6 million Scoville Heat Units on average, with some peppers exceeding 2.2 million SHU.
Who created the Carolina Reaper?
American breeder Ed Currie developed it through selective breeding in South Carolina.
Was it ever the world’s hottest pepper?
Yes. Guinness World Records recognized it as the hottest chili pepper from 2013 until 2023.
What does it look like?
It is usually small, wrinkled, bright red, and often has a curved pointed tail.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_Reaper
    Supports: General identity as a *Capsicum chinense* cultivar, breeder, appearance, and Guinness record timeline.
  2. Gardenia — https://www.gardenia.net/plant/capsicum-chinense-carolina-reaper-pepper
    Supports: Botanical name, physical description, heat level, breeder, origin, and record claim.
  3. Flower Database — https://www.flower-db.com/en/flowers/capsicum-chinense-carolina-reaper
    Supports: Scientific name, family, origin, breeder, and Guinness recognition.
  4. American Gardener — https://www.americangardener.net/carolina-reaper/
    Supports: Species classification, hybrid parentage, and approximate SHU range.
  5. PepperScale — https://pepperscale.com/carolina-reaper/
    Supports: Heat levels, breeder, flavour/use in hot sauces, and record status.