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Capsicum chinense

Carolina Reaper - Scoville, Taste & Uses

Carolina Reaper is the reigning monarch of heat. Each pod looks like a twisted heart with a sharp tail. The first seconds bring a hint of cherry and cinnamon. Then a tidal wave of fire seizes every nerve. The burn can last twenty minutes, which thrill seekers call a badge of honor. Created by grower Ed Currie, the Reaper fuels challenge wings, extract sauces, and limited edition condiments. Makers use it sparingly in mash ferments and pepper flakes. The official range clocks in at 1,400,000 to 2,200,000 SHU. Few peppers rival its raw intensity - sworn in by the Ministry of Scorching Affairs. Carolina Reaper typically measures 1,400,000-2,200,000 SHU (Extreme). Shows up across United States, South Carolina in condiments, pickles, and marinades. Use Carolina Reapers in micro quantities for sauces, chili pastes, and infused oils. Blend with sweet fruit like mango or peach to tame the heat while keeping aroma. Add tiny slivers to chili, barbecue glazes, or chocolate truffles for adventurous citizens. Dehydrate pods for powders that blast spice blends. Ferment them with salt for mash, then mix with vinegar for droppers or gift-size bottles. Always dilute thoroughly, and warn diners before serving. See sauces using Carolina Reaper

Also known as: HP22B, Reaper Pepper

Capsicum chinenseSauce Index | 17
Carolina Reaper pepper - extreme (1,400,000-2,200,000 SHU) from United States, South Carolina

Species

Capsicum chinense

Heat

1,400,000-2,200,000 SHUExtreme

Flavour

instant-heat, Fruity, Sweet, floral, lingering

Origin / Regions

United States, South Carolina

Colour / Shape

Vibrant red with pointed tail

Pod size

4-5 cm long, 2-3 cm wide

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Sauces Using Carolina Reaper

Explore how makers use Carolina Reaper across styles and regions.

Flavour & Aroma

Carolina Reaper is the reigning monarch of heat. Each pod looks like a twisted heart with a sharp tail. The first seconds bring a hint of cherry and cinnamon. Then a tidal wave of fire seizes every nerve. The burn can last twenty minutes, which thrill seekers call a badge of honor. Created by grower Ed Currie, the Reaper fuels challenge wings, extract sauces, and limited edition condiments. Makers use it sparingly in mash ferments and pepper flakes. The official range clocks in at 1,400,000 to 2,200,000 SHU. Few peppers rival its raw intensity - sworn in by the Ministry of Scorching Affairs.
Use Carolina Reapers in micro quantities for sauces, chili pastes, and infused oils. Blend with sweet fruit like mango or peach to tame the heat while keeping aroma. Add tiny slivers to chili, barbecue glazes, or chocolate truffles for adventurous citizens. Dehydrate pods for powders that blast spice blends. Ferment them with salt for mash, then mix with vinegar for droppers or gift-size bottles. Always dilute thoroughly, and warn diners before serving.

Heat Profile

Scoville range

1,400,000-2,200,000 SHU

Heat label

Extreme

Harvest window

Late summer to early autumn

Sauce Index count

17

History & Culture

The Carolina Reaper was bred by Ed Currie of PuckerButt Pepper Company in South Carolina. He crossed a Pakistani Naga with a Caribbean La Soufrière Red Habanero to create the cultivar. In 2013, Guinness World Records certified the Reaper as the world's hottest pepper, a title it still holds in many competitions. Seeds spread globally through specialty vendors, fueling an extreme chili culture. The pepper helped popularize pepper eating contests, challenge chips, and superhot mash fermentations among sauce makers.

Botany & Growing Notes

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Reapers require high heat, long seasons, and patient growers. Start seeds indoors 12 weeks before the last frost using heat mats at 30°C. Transplant outdoors only when soil stays above 18°C. Plants reach 90 cm to 1.2 m tall, with heavy branching that benefits from pruning and staking. They need full sun, high humidity, and calcium rich feeding to support dense pod sets. Expect 120 to 150 days from transplant to ripe fruit. In cooler climates, greenhouses or indoor grow tents are essential.
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FAQ

Carolina Reaper typically measures 1,400,000-2,200,000 SHU (Extreme). Ranges shift with cultivar and growing conditions.

Sources

  • Republic of Heat tasting lab field notes
  • Producer dossiers submitted through Directus
  • Open cultivar registries & academic pepper research

We cross-reference seed banks, peer-reviewed literature, and reputable producer data for SHU and origin claims.

Reviewed by Republic of Heat - last updated 2025-11-08