Carolina Reaper: Origin, Heat and How to Use It Without Suffering
The Carolina Reaper is one of the most famous chili peppers in the world, and for good reason: for ten years it was the hottest pepper ever recorded by Guinness World Records. Here's where it comes from, how hot it really is and how to enjoy its flavor without suffering.
Where the Carolina Reaper comes from
The Carolina Reaper was developed in the United States by grower Ed Currie, in South Carolina, by crossing superhot peppers, including a red Habanero and a Naga. The name "Reaper" comes from the shape of the pepper's tip, which looks like a small curved tail.
The Guinness record
In 2013, Guinness certified the Carolina Reaper as the world's hottest pepper, averaging 1,569,300 SHU on the Scoville scale, with peaks above 2,200,000 SHU. It held the title until 2023, when it was overtaken by Pepper X, created by the same Ed Currie.
How hot it is, in practice
The Scoville scale measures the concentration of capsaicin, the compound that causes the burning sensation in chili peppers. For comparison:
Jalapeño: a few thousand SHU
Habanero: 100,000 to 350,000 SHU
Carolina Reaper: an average of about 1.6 million SHU
In other words, the Carolina Reaper is hundreds of times hotter than a jalapeño. On the Biroots scale, it's the only one rated 5 out of 5.
How to use Carolina Reaper sauce
Start with one drop. Spread it on your plate or stir it into the sauce before serving, then increase little by little.
Use it in rich, bold-flavored dishes, such as meat, beans, chili and stews, which balance the heat.
Mix it into mayonnaise, tomato sauce or butter to make your own homemade hot sauce.
If it burns too much, drink milk or eat something fatty. Capsaicin doesn't dissolve in water, so drinking water won't help.
Warning: because it's extremely hot, it's not suitable for children or people with a sensitive stomach.
Where to find it
The Biroots Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce comes in a 60 ml bottle, made with pepper pulp, vinegar, salt, sugar and xanthan gum. We also have the Carolina Reaper Skull, a 30 ml bottle that comes with a dropper, perfect as a gift. And if the Carolina Reaper is too much to start with, Trinidad Scorpion with Bhut Jolokia is hot, but one step down, and very flavorful.
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