In this blog post, we will be discussing the Carolina Reaper pepper, which is currently the world's hottest chili pepper with a Scoville rating of 2.2 million. Find out more about this scorching pepper, including its history and how to make your own chili sauce.
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What Is A Carolina Reaper?
The Carolina Reaper is a chili pepper that is native to the state of South Carolina in the United States. The pepper was originally grown by Ed Currie, who is the owner of PuckerButt Pepper Company.
The Carolina Reaper is currently the world's hottest chili pepper, according to Guinness World Records. The peppers are typically red or orange in color, and they have a wrinkled, bumpy surface.
The peppers measure an average of 2 inches in length and 1 inch in width. Currie has said that the Carolina Reaper was created through natural selection and that the peppers are not genetically modified.
Simply said, it is a hybrid of ghost peppers and red habanero peppers. The largest crop of Carolina Reapers is now largely grown in southern Serbia, at the foothills of a mountain.
How Hot Is A Carolina Reaper?
If you're looking for a way to spice up your cooking, you may want to consider the Carolina Reaper pepper. This chili pepper is the hottest pepper in the world, and it's sure to add a kick to any dish.
But just how hot is the Carolina Reaper? Let's take a closer look.
To put it simply, the Carolina Reaper is the hottest chilli in the world. In fact, Carolina Reaper Scoville averages around 2.2 million Scoville heat units (SHU).
For comparison, that's about 300-500 times hotter than a jalapeño pepper. To give you an idea of just how hot that is, consider that most police-grade pepper spray tops out at around 2 million to 4 million SHU. In other words, if you were to eat a Carolina Reaper, it would be like getting hit in the face with pepper spray.
Not surprisingly, the Carolina Reaper can cause serious discomfort if not handled properly. When cutting or cooking with this pepper, it's important to wear gloves and avoid touching your eyes or nose.
If you do happen to get some of the pepper on your skin or in your eyes, rinse immediately with cool water and seek medical attention if necessary.
Fresh Vs Dried Carolina Reaper
Carolina Reaper peppers are one of the hottest peppers in the world, and they can be used fresh or dried. Here's a look at the key differences between fresh and dried Carolina Reapers:
- Fresh Carolina Reapers are typically more expensive than their dried counterparts. This is because they have a shorter shelf life and need to be shipped more quickly.
- Dried Carolina Reapers have a more intense flavor than fresh peppers. This is because the drying process concentrates the pepper's natural oils and sugars.
- Fresh Carolina Reapers can be used in a variety of dishes, from salsas to stir-fries. Dried peppers are typically used as an ingredient in chili powder or other spice blends.
- Fresh Carolina Reapers can be difficult to find outside of their growing region. Dried peppers are widely available in supermarkets and online.
When it comes to taste and heat, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between fresh and dried Carolina Reaper peppers. It simply depends on your personal preference. However, if you're looking for convenience, then dried peppers may be the way to go.
Carolina Reaper Vs Habanero
Carolina Reaper and Habanero peppers are two of the most popular types of hot peppers. They both have a distinct appearance, taste, and heat level. Here is a comparison of the two:
Carolina Reaper:
- Appearance: The Carolina Reaper is a small, red pepper with a pointed tail. It is the hottest peppers in the world.
- Taste: The Carolina Reaper has a sweet and fruity flavor with a hint of spice.
- Heat Level: The Carolina Reaper is extremely hot, with a Scoville rating of 2.2 million.
Habanero:
- Appearance: The Habanero is a small, orange pepper with smooth, wrinkled skin. It is one of the super hot peppers in the world.
- Taste: The Habanero has a fruity, sweet, floral, and subtly smoky taste.
- Heat Level: The Habanero is also a very hot pepper chili, with a Scoville rating of 100,000 to 350,000.
Carolina Reaper Vs Trinidad Scorpion
They are the two most extremely hot peppers in the world. Here's a breakdown of the differences between them:
- Appearance: Carolina Reapers are red and scaly, while Trinidad Scorpions are orange and smooth.
- Taste: Carolina Reapers are said to have a fruity flavor, while Trinidad Scorpions are also fruit-like flavors with a mix of hot and sweet tastes.
- Heat level: Carolina Reapers are the hotter of the two, with an average heat level of 2.2 million Scoville units. Trinidad Scorpions clock in at around 1.2 million Scoville units on average.
Recommended Reading: Carolina reaper vs Ghost pepper
How To Grow A Carolina Reaper
Growing your own Carolina Reaper peppers is a fun and rewarding experience, and with this step-by-step guide, you'll be harvesting your own spicy peppers in no time.
Here's what you'll need to get started:
- Carolina Reaper seeds: You can purchase these online or at your local nursery.
- A pot or container: Make sure it has drainage holes so that water can properly drain away from the roots.
- Potting soil: Choose a quality potting mix that is rich in nutrients. Your local garden center will have plenty of options to choose from.
- A warm, sunny spot: Pepper plants need plenty of sunlight, so choose a location that gets 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. A south-facing window is a perfect spot for growing Carolina Reapers indoors.
- Water: Keep the soil moist but not soggy, watering deeply about once a week. Be sure to reduce watering during the winter months when the plants are dormant.
Now that you have all the supplies you need, let's get started!
- Start by planting your Carolina Reaper seeds in starter pots or trays filled with potting mix. Plant the seeds about ¼ inch deep and keep them moist.
- Once the seedlings have sprouted, thin them out so that only the strongest plants remain. transplant the seedlings into larger pots or containers, spacing them about 12 inches apart.
- Place the pots in a warm, sunny spot and water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
- Fertilize your plants every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer to help them grow strong and healthy.
- Once the peppers have reached about 6 inches in length, they are ready to harvest! Cut them from the plant, being careful not to damage the stem.
Enjoy your fresh, homegrown peppers! Add them to your favorite recipes or eat them fresh off the plant for a truly spicy experience. Just be sure to wash your hands after handling these peppers, as their intense heat can cause irritation. Wear gloves when handling these peppers.
People Also Ask [FAQs]
The Carolina Reaper is a chili pepper that was developed by Ed Currie. It is one of the hottest peppers in the world from South Carolina.
The world's hottest pepper is the Carolina Reaper. It is a cross between a Ghost Pepper and a Habanero and averages 2,200,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The reason it is so hot is due to the amount of capsaicin it contains. Capsaicin is what gives peppers their heat and the Carolina Reaper contains a high concentration of it.
One way to use the Carolina Reaper is to make a hot sauce. The Carolina Reaper can also be used in cooking to add spice to a dish. The pepper can also be dried and ground into a powder to use as a seasoning.
Wrap Up: Carolina Reaper
- The Carolina Reaper is the world's hottest chili pepper. It measures an average of 2 inches in length and 1 inch in width.
- The Carolina Reaper has a Scoville rating of 2.2 million, which means that it is more than 300-500 times hotter than a jalapeño pepper.
- Fresh Carolina Reapers are typically more expensive than their dried counterparts. This is because they have a shorter shelf life and need to be shipped more quickly.
- Dried Carolina Reapers have a more intense flavor than fresh peppers. This is because the drying process concentrates the pepper's natural oils and sugars.
- If you're looking for tips on how to make your hot sauce even hotter, then check out our recipe card below to make a super hot sauce. And if you want to learn more about growing them, then be sure to check step by step instructions in the article above.
- Growing these peppers is a fun and easy way to add some serious spice to your dishes. With just a few supplies and some simple instructions shared in this post, you can be harvesting your own peppers in no time. Just be sure to handle them with care, as their intense heat can cause irritation.
- For a genuine spicy experience, try eating super hot peppers fresh off the plant instead of adding them to your favorite dishes. In the comments section below, tell us what you think about eating fresh chili peppers.
Recipe
Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Carolina Reaper peppers around 25 pods
- ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cloves garlic peeled and minced - medium size garlic
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut the Carolina Reaper peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and ribs.
- Place the pepper halves on a baking sheet and roast for about 15 minutes, or until they are slightly charred.
- Remove the peppers from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Place the roasted peppers, garlic, vinegar, salt, and sugar in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Pour the pepper sauce into a clean glass jar and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Tommy B.
Will freezing this hot sauce affect the consistency after it is thawed?
Elle
Hi Tommy,
Thank you for your message.
As the peppers are roasted before making the sauce, the change won't be as strong as it would be if using raw peppers, but it will slightly change.
How are you planning to use it?
Thank you, Elle