Hottest Peppers in the World

This is a not another “top 10 hottest peppers in the world” list and I’m not attempting to answer the question, “what is the hottest pepper in the world”. It seems what is considered to be the world’s hottest pepper is always changing and in many cases not officially documented or is in dispute. That’s why this won’t be an ordered list of the hottest peppers, but rather a list of peppers that are for the most part accepted as some of the hottest in the world. I plan to keep this updated as I discover other hot peppers worthy of inclusion. If you know of one or more that should be included here please add them in the comments.

Last Updated: February 7, 2012

Red Bhut Jolokia (commonly called a “Ghost Pepper”)
Chocolate Bhut Jolokia
Yellow Bhut Jolokia (also call “Lemon Bhut Jolokia”)
Bih Jolokia
7 Pod Barrakpore
7 Pod SR
7 Pod Primo
7 Pod Jonah
7 Pod Brain Strain
7 Pod Yellow
Douglah (pretty sure this is often referred to as a 7 pod Douglah)
Trinidad Scorpion Moruga
Trinidad Scorpion Butch T
Naga Morich
Dorset Naga
HP22B / Carolina Reaper

I am leaving 3 off of this list right now that have surfaced recently – the infinity, the naga viper and the new mexico scorpion.

What did I miss? What other peppers deserve a spot on the list of the world’s hottest peppers?

26 thoughts on “Hottest Peppers in the World

  1. Paul Kainer

    Evidently there is one called Naga hari which is bread from 2 peppers that rivals the Naga Viper. I tried to order the Naga Hari seeds to grow but they were either never sent or confiscated by the Canadian Immigration. I will check out this “Mexican Scorpion” unless you would like to mention where I can find reliable seeds for the Mexican I am all ears!

    Reply
  2. dontbuythehype

    New mexico scorpion is just a made up name to sell seeds, peppers and products. don’t buy the hype and dont support the fake new mexico scorpion.

    Reply
  3. Kevin

    Growing a pepper in a state does not mean you get to rename it. I grow jalapenos and I live in Montana, does that make them Montana Jalapenos? No of course it does not. The new mexico scorpion pepper is a total sham.

    Reply
    1. Rob Gates

      The heat in an individual pepper depends on a lot of factors such as soil, weather and climate. That means that there is a big difference between the hottest pepper in the world and the hottest pepper you can grow. For a consistently very hot pepper no matter what the conditions are try Scotch Bonnets, 7 Pots or Jamaican Ghosts. They always perform, especially Scotch Bonnets which have been in commercial production long enough for selective breeding to really kick in.

      Reply
  4. pepperseed Post author

    To those reading this post…I had posted a question on the press release for the New Mexico Scorpion (http://www.pitchengine.com/thegarritygroup/new-mexico-team-brings-the-heat-to-chile-world/127617/) but it wasn’t showing up. I received the following via email today:


    I’m having trouble getting your comment (and my reply) to post to pitch engine, but I wanted to make sure you received an answer.

    Yes, the official variety name is “Trinidad Scorpion,” but that name is trademarked, so since our chile peppers have been grown in New Mexico we’re using the name “New Mexico Scorpion” when referring to these particular peppers and the products they are used in, to avoid any type of TM infringement.

    Let me know if I can answer any other questions for you. Thanks- Julianne

    Julianne Horn
    Account Executive, The Garrity Group
    4110 Wolcott Avenue, NE Suite B
    Albuquerque, NM 87109

    Reply
  5. pepperseed Post author

    Sarrid, the hottest I have ever personally had is the douglah. I am growing the Trinidad scorpion this year and word on the street is it’s hotter.

    Reply
  6. pepperseed Post author

    I’m not positive but I think the infinity pepper is a cross meaning it’s not stable and even if you found infinity pepper seeds they more than likely would not produce infinity peppers.

    Am I wrong? anyone know more about the infinity pepper and/or where one could purchase seeds?

    More info (and a video) about the infinity pepper at thehotpepper.com – http://www.thehotpepper.com/topic/18443-infinity-pod-test/

    Reply
  7. pepperseed Post author

    Here’s a summary of the news/info so far about the Butch T Scorpion + links to Neil’s sites…the guy who supplied the seeds:

    http://www.chilefoundry.co.uk/2011/03/22/news-from-australia-trinidad-scorpion-1463700-shus/

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hippy-Seed-Company/91258414977

    http://thechillifactory.com/index.php?p=hottest

    http://iloveitspicy.com/2011/03/22/new-record-broken-again/

    http://twitter.com/hippyseedco

    http://www.thehippyseedcompany.com/

    Reply
  8. Robert Jhones

    where i can buy seeds of this 7 pot strain………..
    7 Pod Barrakpore
    7 Pod SR
    7 Pod Primo
    7 Pod Jonah
    7 Pod Brain Strain
    7 Pod Yellow

    Reply
  9. pilgrim

    Can I grow the trinidad scorpion pepper here in southern Illlinois. I had problems with the Bhutt Jolokia. It gets pretty humid here in the summer.

    Reply
  10. pepperseed Post author

    pilgrim,

    Yea, you can grow them in your climate no problem. You just have to start the seeds indoors in Feb / first week of March so you’ll have enough grow season to let the peppers get ripe.

    Reply
  11. Paul Kainer

    I just got the Bush T and viper seeds in the mail last month from UK will start them this weekend. The other seeds I got called Naga Hari were from a other place in UK but seeds were toast, everything including Bhutes sprouted in the same tray.

    Reply
  12. Pepper Joe

    If you go by teh Guinness Book of worlds records…and ONLY the Guiness book….the Champ is still th3 Butch T Trinidad scorpion as of June 4th, 2011. They aren’t authorities on the topic, but it does enhance the credibility.
    Fiery REgards, Pepper Joe

    Reply
    1. pepperseed Post author

      Yes, I’m sure they will update and show the moruga soon…unless of course something else beats the moruga between now and then!

      Reply
  13. Pineapple Gack

    I’ve heard about the Trinidad Scorpion only recently, are they some new variety or have they been around for some time? It was like the Naga’s only learned about them a few years back.

    Reply
    1. pepperseed Post author

      They have been around for years and years…just starting to get more attention now that the mainstream press has been talking about them.

      Reply
  14. bikash chetia

    bhut jolokia & naga jolokia r both different. they r from same family of spice but both tastes a slight different & its the bhut jolokia which is the hottest chilly in the world

    Reply
  15. Pepper Joe

    Yea, it’s exciting times in the Chile business. Do we need another Worlds hottest? You can’t beat the attention and focus it’s brought into our industry. My average customer who used to go for Jalapenos and Habaneros are now tossing out names like the ghost Pepper, Butch T, Moruga and Carolina Reaper Peppr like Chilead pros. It’s amusing but it does keep things fresh. Don’t we all love to grow new stuff. I grew Tomatillos for the first time this year and am having a blast making Chile Verde Sauce, Salsa, roasting them and adding to a bunch of stuff.
    Hey, we just harvested our first 50,000 Moruga Seeds. They are packed, in our shopping cart and now ready to ship. We’ve got them backed up with another 100,000 seeds coming so I expect to be in stock for the 2013 season. Check them out at http://www.pepperjoe.com/shoppingcart/html/pepper.html
    Fiery Regards,
    Pepper Joe

    Reply

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