Pepper X is a cultivar of Capsicum chili pepper bred by the American chili breeder Ed Currie, the creator of the Carolina Reaper.[2][3][4] In 2023, Guinness World Records recognized it as the world's hottest chili pepper.[5]
| Pepper X | |
|---|---|
| Species | Capsicum chinense |
| Breeder | Ed Currie |
| Origin | Fort Mill, South Carolina, United States |
| Heat |  Exceptionally hot |
| Scoville scale | 2,693,000[1] SHU |
Breeding
editThe exceptional pungency of the chili was developed over 10 years of cultivation for desired traits to emerge through selective plant breeding, and 10 or more generations for the hybrid chilis to stabilize with the desired intense pungency.[2][5] The breeder, Ed Currie, produced 100 hybrid crosses per year with the intent that one or two would succeed for the 10-year development cycle.[2][5]
Pungency
editPepper X resulted from several cross breedings that produced an exceptionally high content of capsaicin in the locules – the plant tissue holding the seeds.[2] The extensive curves and ridges of a Pepper X chili create more surface area for the plant placenta and locules to grow and retain capsaicin, adding to the intensity of heat experienced when a Pepper X is eaten.[2] Ingestion of a Pepper X chili causes intense abdominal cramps and heartburn.[2]
Guinness World Record
editOn August 23, 2023, Guinness World Records recognized Pepper X as the world's hottest chili pepper, measuring 2.69 million SHU, beating the previous world record of 1.64 million SHU held by the Carolina Reaper, also bred by Currie.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Hottest chilli pepper". Guinness World Records Ltd. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Kim, Chloe (17 October 2023). "Guinness World Records crowns new hottest pepper". BBC News. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ Hultquist, Mike (23 February 2018). "Pepper X – Latest News and Information". Chili Pepper Madness. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- ^ Saelinger, Tracy (29 September 2017). "'World's hottest pepper' will make you choke, sweat and cry for mercy". Today, NBC News. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
- ^ a b c d Atwal, Sanj (October 16, 2023). "Pepper X dethrones Carolina Reaper as world's hottest chilli pepper". Guinness World Records. Retrieved October 31, 2023.