In short: Pepper X is the hottest officially confirmed chilli in the world. According to Guinness World Records, the variety reaches 2,693,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). It was bred by Ed Currie, founder of the PuckerButt Pepper Company in the US, and dethroned the Carolina Reaper as record holder in 2023. (As of 19 September 2026)
For most people, only one question remains: where can you buy it? The honest answer: seeds and plants simply aren't available. Below, we explain why that is, and which extremely hot varieties you can actually grow instead.
Pepper X at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Confirmed record value | Avg. 2,693,000 SHU (Guinness World Records) |
| Record since | 2023 (announced by Guinness in October 2023) |
| Breeder | Ed Currie, PuckerButt Pepper Company, Fort Mill, South Carolina (USA) |
| Species | Capsicum chinense |
| Previous record holder | Carolina Reaper (avg. around 1.64 million SHU) |
| Availability | no seeds or plants commercially available |
How Hot Is Pepper X Really?
The confirmed average value for Pepper X is 2,693,000 SHU. That's not the value of a single, particularly hot fruit, but the average of the tested samples as published by Guinness. For comparison: a habanero reaches roughly 100,000 to 350,000 SHU. That makes Pepper X mathematically about 8 to 27 times an average habanero. The Carolina Reaper held the previous record with an average of around 1.64 million SHU.
We explain in detail how SHU values are actually determined, and why fruit from the same variety can vary in heat, in our guide to the Scoville scale.
Does Pepper X have 5 million Scoville? No, the confirmed figure is the average of 2,693,000 SHU. Higher figures circulating online are not confirmed by Guinness or any other independent source. The official record value comes from the measurement recognised by Guinness.
Top 10 Hottest Chillies in the World
An exact world ranking is trickier than it looks at first glance. Official records rely on documented series of measurements, while many breeders only quote the peak value of a single fruit. That often causes confusion, or even disappointment, when your own plant in the garden doesn't reach that peak value. The table below therefore ranks well-known superhots using officially measured figures. Unfortunately, that's no guarantee the variety will reach those values when grown at home, either.
| Chilli | Typical or confirmed range | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pepper X | Avg. 2,693,000 SHU | Guinness record holder since 2023 |
| Carolina Reaper | Avg. around 1.64 million SHU, individual values up to about 2.2 million | Record holder 2013–2023 |
| Trinidad Moruga Scorpion | Avg. around 1.2 million SHU, peaks up to about 2 million | Former record holder (2012) |
| Trinidad Scorpion Butch T | 1,463,700 SHU | Former record holder (2011) |
| Naga Viper | 1,349,000 SHU | Former record holder (2010) |
| 7 Pot Douglah | Often over 1 million SHU | Very hot 7 Pot variety |
| Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper) | Around 1 million SHU | Confirmed in 2007 as the first chilli over one million |
| Infinity Chilli | Just over 1 million SHU | Briefly record holder in 2011 |
| Red Savina Habanero | Up to about 577,000 SHU | Record holder in the era before superhots (1994) |
| Dragon's Breath | Provisionally measured at about 2.48 million SHU | Not certified by Guinness |
In our view, the average always makes the most sense for a comparison. Always keep the measurement method, and especially the source, in mind whenever you come across "yet another new hottest variety" online. Every breeder wants to have "the hottest chilli in the world" – but hardly anyone can actually prove it, which is why we generally assume such claims are misinformation unless proven otherwise.
Is There Already a New Hottest Chilli?
As of September 2026: no, not officially. Candidates keep popping up, such as Dragon's Breath or the Apollo Pepper bred by Ed Currie, for which figures over 3 million SHU are quoted. These figures haven't been confirmed by Guinness so far. We'll update this article as soon as the official record changes.
The Record History of the Hottest Chilli
- 1994: Red Savina Habanero (up to about 577,000 SHU)
- 2007: Bhut Jolokia, confirmed as the first chilli over one million SHU
- 2010/2011: Naga Viper, Infinity Chilli and Trinidad Scorpion Butch T succeed one another
- 2012: Trinidad Moruga Scorpion
- 2013–2023: Carolina Reaper, record holder for a decade
- Since 2023: Pepper X
Pepper X vs. Carolina Reaper Compared
Both varieties come from Ed Currie's breeding programme. The most significant, provable difference is the record value: Pepper X's confirmed average sits well above the Carolina Reaper's. Statements about taste and aroma, on the other hand, are subjective and also depend on growing conditions, ripeness and how the fruit is processed.
| Pepper X | Carolina Reaper | |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed average | 2,693,000 SHU | around 1.64 million SHU |
| Record status | current record holder (since 2023) | record holder 2013–2023 |
| Breeder | Ed Currie / PuckerButt | Ed Currie / PuckerButt |
| Species | Capsicum chinense | Capsicum chinense |
| Available as a plant? | no | yes, as a young plant from us |
The Carolina Reaper is therefore the obvious alternative: it comes from the same breeder, was itself the world record holder for years, and you can actually grow it. We offer it as a young plant, raised by us in Illmitz.
Can You Buy Pepper X?
Unfortunately, no. According to the PuckerButt Pepper Company, Pepper X is a patented variety and isn't released for purchase or use by the general public. The company doesn't sell Pepper X seeds or plants. Official Pepper X products, such as sauces, are only available directly from them.
So be especially careful with listings for Pepper X seeds, fruit or plants on platforms like Etsy or eBay. A product name alone doesn't tell you whether the seed is true to variety, and we can't verify such third-party listings. You won't find Pepper X plants or Pepper X seed with us. Please always assume such claims are fraudulent.
Extremely Hot Chillies You Can Actually Grow
Even though Pepper X itself stays out of reach, you don't have to miss out on extreme heat. The Carolina Reaper, Bhut Jolokia and Trinidad Scorpion are well-known, proven varieties for anyone wanting to work their way towards extreme heat. You'll find further varieties in the same range in our Heat Level 10+++ category. They remain extremely hot and should be handled just as carefully.
The big difference to Pepper X: you can grow and harvest our varieties yourself at home, in a pot or in the garden. As a sturdy young plant raised by us, you don't need a grow light or weeks of germination – you plant it out directly and wait for your first harvest. The plants are available seasonally from January to June, presale starts in early January, and shipping happens in spring. You can see whether a particular plant is currently available directly on its product page. You'll find our full range in the main Chilli Plants category.
If you'd rather try the heat first, ReapRacha is our own home-made Carolina Reaper sauce. Find out more about the heat of sauces in our guide to the hottest chilli sauce in the world.
Why Does the Heat of a Chilli Variety Vary?
Genetics set the possible range, but individual fruit can still vary. Ripeness, temperature, water supply, location and general plant stress all influence how strongly capsaicinoids develop. A variety's stated heat is therefore always a guide, not an exact reading for every single pod. Plants will certainly fall well short of the maximum figures unless you specifically condition them to reach it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pepper X
What is the hottest chilli in the world in 2026?
Pepper X currently holds the Guinness World Record as the hottest chilli variety in the world.
How many Scoville does Pepper X have?
The confirmed average is 2,693,000 SHU. That's the officially measured figure from Guinness. Peak values can be significantly higher, though that wouldn't be expected from home growing.
Is Pepper X hotter than the Carolina Reaper?
Yes. Based on the officially confirmed average values, Pepper X sits well above the previous record holder, the Carolina Reaper (around 1.64 million SHU).
How long was the Carolina Reaper the hottest chilli in the world?
From 2013 to 2023 – around a decade.
Can you buy Pepper X?
No, seeds and plants aren't available. According to PuckerButt, Pepper X is patented, and the company doesn't sell Pepper X seeds. We currently don't offer any Pepper X seeds or plants, and we treat third-party listings purely as fraudulent.
Which very hot chillies are alternatives?
Carolina Reaper, Trinidad Scorpion and Bhut Jolokia are well-known superhots that you can actually grow with us. They remain extremely hot and should be handled just as carefully.
Sources and Updates
Last updated: 19 September 2026.
