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Pepper X

Pepper X is a cultivar of chili pepper recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s hottest chili pepper.

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

Pepper X is a cultivar of chili pepper recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s hottest chili pepper. It was bred by Ed Currie of PuckerButt Pepper Company and recorded at an average of 2,693,000 Scoville heat units. The pepper is known for extreme pungency and a fruity, floral flavour.

History

Pepper X was developed by pepper breeder Ed Currie through PuckerButt Pepper Company in South Carolina. Guinness World Records announced it as the world’s hottest chili pepper in 2023, ending the Carolina Reaper’s reign.

Heat and record status

The pepper’s officially tested average heat is 2,693,000 Scoville heat units. That measurement placed it above the Carolina Reaper and established it as the Guinness World Records holder for hottest chili pepper.

Characteristics

Pepper X is described as extremely hot but also as having fruity and floral flavour notes. Its exact genetic makeup has been kept private, and it is generally treated as a proprietary cultivar.

Cultivation and use

Pepper X is not a standard seed-catalog garden pepper and is typically associated with specialty growers and hot sauce production. Because of its heat, it is generally used in very small amounts.

Key facts

  • Pepper X is a cultivated variety of chili pepper, not a wild species.
  • Guinness World Records recognized it in 2023 as the world’s hottest chili pepper.
  • Its official average heat level is 2,693,000 Scoville heat units.
  • It was bred by Ed Currie, who also developed the Carolina Reaper.
  • The pepper was developed over more than a decade of selective breeding.
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Canadian context

Pepper X is of interest to Canadian readers as a globally recognized super-hot chili pepper often discussed in hot sauce, food media, and spice challenges.

Frequently asked questions

What is Pepper X?
Pepper X is a chili pepper cultivar bred by Ed Currie and recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s hottest chili pepper.
How hot is Pepper X?
Its official Guinness-tested average is 2,693,000 Scoville heat units.
Who created Pepper X?
Pepper X was bred by Ed Currie of PuckerButt Pepper Company in South Carolina.
Is Pepper X a species?
No. It is a cultivated variety, or cultivar, within the Capsicum chinense group.
What does Pepper X taste like?
Sources describe it as fruity and floral, although its extreme heat dominates most uses.

References

  1. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67136085
    Supports: Guinness recognition, world’s hottest chili pepper status, 2,693,000 SHU, comparison with Carolina Reaper
  2. Scientific American — https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-makes-pepper-x-so-hot/
    Supports: Breeder Ed Currie, Guinness recognition, average SHU, PuckerButt Pepper Company
  3. Pepper Scale — https://pepperscale.com/pepper-x/
    Supports: Fruity/floral flavour, decade-long breeding, extreme heat, record context
  4. Mental Floss — https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/world-records/pepper-x-guinness-world-record-hottest-pepper
    Supports: Crossbreed origin and breeder information
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper_X
    Supports: Cultivar status, Guinness recognition, SHU figure, Carolina Reaper comparison