in

The Carolina Reaper: A Comprehensive Analysis of the World’s Former Hottest Pepper

The Carolina Reaper' World's Former Hottest Pepper
Source by unsplash

It has been the hottest chilli pepper in the world from 2013 to 2023 and is famed for its incredible heat. This cultivar of Capsicum chinense was developed by American breeder Ed Currie and is recognized for its unique appearance and extreme spiciness. Today we explore the Carolina Reaper from its history to genetics, CARE and CUISINE.

Development and Origin

The Carolina Reaper' World's Former Hottest Pepper
Source by unsplash

In the early 2000s, Ed Currie, an American breeder and owner of the PuckerButt Pepper Company, began work on producing the Carolina Reaper. By carefully crossbreeding, Currie fused a “really nastily hot” La Soufrière Habanero pepper from Saint Vincent with a Naga pepper from Pakistan. After more than 10 years of selective breeding, the Carolina Reaper became a fearsome cultivar, officially named for its “sickle-like” tail resembling the Grim Reaper’s scythe.

Characteristics and Pungency

Appearance

The Carolina Reaper is identifiable by its bright red colour, twisted and lumpy surface area, and unique pointed tail. Part of what makes them so simultaneously terrifying and fascinating is their unique morphology.

Heat Level

Officially recognized through the Guinness World Records as the hottest pepper on the planet on August 11, 2017, the Carolina Reaper is the mother when it comes to heat, with an average heat measured at 1,641,183 SHU and particular individual peppers climbing as high as 2.2 million SHU. The intense pungency is due to high concentrations of capsaicinoids, especially capsaicin, found in the pepper.

Flavor Profile

The Carolina Reaper’s flavour profile is complex, in addition to its blistering heat. Early notes on tasting show a brief fruitiness, quickly followed by an intense, sustained burn. The sweet and spicy combo is also what makes it a novel ingredient when used in culinary applications.

Cultivation Practices

The Carolina Reaper' World's Former Hottest Pepper
Source by unsplash

Growing Conditions

The Carolina Reaper grows best in warmer climates and needs consistent temperatures of at least 18 °C (64 °F). For best development, it is advised to grow plants in 30–40 cm (12–16 in) pots to limit development and help a fruitful setting earlier. The plants generally mature 90 to 100 days after transplanting.

Harvesting

When fully ripe, peppers turn bright red. The mature pepper is around the size of a golf ball, with two fitting comfortably in the average adult’s hand.

Culinary Applications

Usage in Cuisine

The Carolina Reaper, thanks to its extremely high level of heat, is used sparingly in food. It’s widely found in hot sauces, salsas, and marinades for considerable spiciness. It can also be dried and ground into a powder to be sprinkled on dishes, offering both heat and a gentle fruity note.

Safety Precautions

You must wear gloves when you are handling Carolina Reapers, keep them from your skin, eyes, and mucous membranes (they can burn)! It can cause severe discomfort to people unfamiliar with high capsaicin levels, and an extreme amount may even cause negative health effects.

Conclusion

The Carolina Reaper has now become the gold standard of chilli pepper breeding, achieving the holy grail of culinary peppers: blistering heat, and complex flavour. Although Pepper X is now hotter, the Carolina Reaper was truly an achievement in the world of spicy food. It needs to be used with caution, but for those who are looking for that extra layer of pungency, the Carolina Reaper presents a challenge like no other.

What do you think?

Written by Zane Michalle

Zane is a Viral Content Creator at UK Journal. She was previously working for Net worth and was a photojournalist at Mee Miya Productions.

Leave a Reply

GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings

Understanding Customs Clearance A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding Customs Clearance: A Comprehensive Guide for Importers & Exporters

Understanding SA302: How to Obtain & Use Tax Calculation

Understanding SA302: How to Obtain and Use Your Tax Calculation Statement