If you haven’t heard yet (or have you?…from me), there’s a new reigning champion in
the world of heat: Pepper X. As of October 9, 2023, the Guinness Book of World
Records officially crowned Pepper X the hottest chili pepper on Earth, dethroning the
infamous Carolina Reaper.

What’s wild? The same mastermind behind the Carolina Reaper—Ed “Smokin’ Ed”
Currie, founder of PuckerButt Pepper Company—also created Pepper X. He beat his
own record after over a decade of crossbreeding some of the world’s hottest peppers.
So, how hot is it? Pepper X clocks in at a staggering 2.693 million Scoville Heat Units
(SHU). For comparison:
*Jalapeño: ~3,000–8,000 SHU
*Carolina Reaper: ~1.64 million SHU
*Pepper X: Up to 1,077 times hotter than the mildest jalapeño

But don’t expect to find Pepper X pods or seeds at your local grocery store anytime
soon. It’s proprietary, and Ed Currie has kept it under wraps—literally. For now, the
only way to experience its brutal heat is through hot sauces that feature it, like The
Last Dab: Xperience from the Hot Ones series.

And if you’re brave enough to cook with it? You’ll need kitchen gloves, goggles, and
maybe even a gas mask. Seriously. Currie himself said the first time he ate a whole
Pepper X, he felt the heat for three and a half hours, followed by agonizing cramps
that left him lying on a marble wall in the rain.

Still, for spice lovers like me, this is thrilling news. Pepper X isn’t just a pepper—it’s a
culinary dare, a botanical marvel, and a testament to human endurance.
If you’re curious to try it, check out sauces from:

PuckerButt Pepper Company
HEATONIST
Amazon

Would you dare to taste it? Or are you sticking with the jalapeños?