As of September 2021, the Carolina Reaper is considered to be the hottest chili pepper in the world, according to the Guinness World Records. It was developed by a farmer named Ed Currie in Rock Hill, South Carolina in the United States, and was first tested and verified as the hottest chili pepper in 2013.
The Carolina Reaper has an average Scoville rating of over 1.5 million, which is more than twice as hot as the previous record holder, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion. The Scoville rating is a measure of the amount of capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat, and is used to determine the spiciness of peppers.
Consuming the Carolina Reaper or other extremely hot chili peppers can cause a range of symptoms, including intense burning sensations in the mouth, throat, and stomach, sweating, and even vomiting or diarrhea in some cases. It is important to exercise caution when handling or consuming extremely hot peppers and to use them sparingly or in moderation.
