Pepper X: The World’s Hottest Pepper

Pepper X, a small, wrinkly yellow-green pepper, is now officially the hottest chili pepper in the world, according to Guinness World Records. It measures an average of 2.693 million Scoville Heat Units, which is three times hotter than its predecessor, the Carolina Reaper.

To measure the intensity of Pepper X, officials at Guinness turned to what’s known as the Scoville Scale. Developed in 1912, the scale determines the heat of a pepper by measuring the concentration of its heat-wielding chemical compounds called capsaicinoids.

A jalapeño, by comparison, measures just 2,000 to 8,000 SHUs, while a serrano can land between 10,000 and 23,000 SHUs.

Ed Currie, founder of PuckerButt Pepper Company in South Carolina, who developed Pepper X, described the feeling of eating a whole Pepper X: “There’s an intense burn that happens immediately. Then your head kind of feels like, ‘Oh no! What’s going on?’ And then your body just starts reacting. You get it in your arms, you get it in your chest,” he said.

“It has no real throat burn like the Reaper, but that comes on later when you’re in pain.”

Much of a pepper’s heat is concentrated not in its seeds but rather in the interior white placenta that holds the seeds. According to Guinness, Pepper X’s exterior bumpiness creates more space for that placenta to grow.

Currie said his team stabilized Pepper X about a decade ago, and only decided to release it now because no one had been able to beat his previous record for the Carolina Reaper.

Why do some people enjoy the pain of spicy foods?

There are a few reasons why some people enjoy the pain of spicy foods.

First, spicy foods release endorphins, which are hormones that have mood-boosting and pain-relieving effects.

Second, some people simply enjoy the thrill of eating something that is hot and spicy. The burn of a chili pepper can be a bit of an adrenaline rush.

Finally, some people simply like the taste of chili peppers. The heat can enhance the flavor of food, and some people find that they simply prefer the taste of spicy food.

If you’re thinking about trying Pepper X, here are a few tips:

• Start small. If you’re not used to eating spicy food, start with a tiny piece of Pepper X and see how you handle it. You can always eat more if you want, but it’s tough to go back if you eat too much and your mouth is on fire.
• Have milk or yogurt on hand. Milk and yogurt can help to neutralize the heat of chili peppers. If you start to feel too uncomfortable, take a sip of milk or a bite of yogurt.
• Eat Pepper X with other foods. Pepper X is a lot of heat to take on by itself. It’s better to eat it with other foods, such as rice or beans, to help dilute the heat.
• Be careful not to touch your eyes or nose after handling Pepper X. The capsaicin in chili peppers can irritate your skin and eyes.

Most importantly, have fun! Eating spicy food can be a delicious and enjoyable experience. Just be sure to start small and take your time.