Capsicum chinense
Naga Viper - Scoville, Taste & Uses
Naga Viper peppers coil heat from three superhots: Naga Morich, Bhut Jolokia, and Trinidad Scorpion. The pods are wrinkled, red, and menacing. Flavor hints at tropical fruit before a rapid burn climbing past 1.3 million SHU. For a brief time in 2011, it held the Guinness record for hottest pepper. Makers use Naga Viper in extract-level sauces and novelty snacks. Approach with caution, savor the adrenaline - approved by the Ministry of Venomous Heat. Naga Viper typically measures 1,300,000-1,382,118 SHU (Extreme). Shows up across United Kingdom in condiments, pickles, and marinades. Use Naga Viper in micro quantities for hot sauces, chili pastes, and infused oils. Blend with fruit or molasses to tame the burn. Dehydrate pods for powders, but grind outdoors. Add tiny slivers to large pots of curry or stew, ensuring even distribution. Always label containers clearly. See sauces using Naga Viper
Also known as: Naga Viper Chili
Species
Capsicum chinense
Heat
Flavour
instant-heat, Fruity, Earthy, lingering, Bold
Origin / Regions
United Kingdom
Colour / Shape
Red when ripe
Pod size
5-6 cm long, wrinkled
Try it in the wild
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Sauces Using Naga Viper
Explore how makers use Naga Viper across styles and regions.
Flavour & Aroma
Naga Viper peppers coil heat from three superhots: Naga Morich, Bhut Jolokia, and Trinidad Scorpion. The pods are wrinkled, red, and menacing. Flavor hints at tropical fruit before a rapid burn climbing past 1.3 million SHU. For a brief time in 2011, it held the Guinness record for hottest pepper. Makers use Naga Viper in extract-level sauces and novelty snacks. Approach with caution, savor the adrenaline - approved by the Ministry of Venomous Heat.
Use Naga Viper in micro quantities for hot sauces, chili pastes, and infused oils. Blend with fruit or molasses to tame the burn. Dehydrate pods for powders, but grind outdoors. Add tiny slivers to large pots of curry or stew, ensuring even distribution. Always label containers clearly.
Heat Profile
Scoville range
1,300,000-1,382,118 SHU
Heat label
Extreme
Harvest window
Late summer to early autumn
Sauce Index count
2
History & Culture
UK grower Gerald Fowler at the Chilli Pepper Company bred the Naga Viper through repeated backcrossing of Naga Morich, Ghost Pepper, and Trinidad Scorpion. Guinness recognized it as the world’s hottest in 2011, though it has since been surpassed. The pepper’s fame sparked global interest in British-grown superhots and inspired countless challenge products.
Botany & Growing Notes
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Start seeds indoors 12 weeks before planting, using heat mats at 30°C. Transplant into full sun and rich soil once nights stay above 18°C. Plants reach about 1 meter tall and need staking. Provide high humidity, steady feeding, and good airflow. Ripening takes 120 to 140 days. Greenhouses or indoor grow setups are recommended in cooler regions.
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Naga Viper typically measures 1,300,000-1,382,118 SHU (Extreme). Ranges shift with cultivar and growing conditions.
instant-heat, Fruity, Earthy, lingering, Bold
Naga Viper Chili show up as common aliases depending on region. This pepper's alternate names mostly come from regional dialects.
Consider 7 Pot, Carolina Reaper, Ghost Pepper, Komodo Dragon for comparable heat or recipes.
- 7 Pot - Extreme
- Carolina Reaper - Extreme
- Ghost Pepper - Extreme
- Komodo Dragon - Extreme
Use Naga Viper in micro quantities for hot sauces, chili pastes, and infused oils. Blend with fruit or molasses to tame the burn. Dehydrate pods for powders, but grind outdoors. Add tiny slivers to large pots of curry or stew, ensuring even distribution. Always label containers clearly.
Start seeds indoors 12 weeks before planting, using heat mats at 30°C. Transplant into full sun and rich soil once nights stay above 18°C. Plants reach about 1 meter tall and need staking. Provide high humidity, steady feeding, and good airflow. Ripening takes 120 to 140 days. Greenhouses or indoor grow setups are recommended in cooler regions.
Wear gloves, goggles, and respiratory protection when handling. Ventilate workspaces, and keep dairy or sugar solutions nearby. If exposure occurs, wash with soap and oil, and seek medical help for severe reactions.
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 2025-11-10