About Pepper X
Pepper X has officially been recognized by Guinness World Records as the hottest chilli in the world. It measures a staggering 2.69 million Scoville heat units (SHU), making it approximately 500 times hotter than a jalapeno. This greenish-yellow pepper contains a high concentration of capsaicinoids, the chemical irritant that gives peppers their heat.
The Reigning Champion
Pepper X dethroned the previous record-holder, the Carolina Reaper, by a margin of one million SHU. Both Pepper X and the Carolina Reaper were bred by Ed Currie, who discovered the potential for extreme spiciness while experimenting with different varieties of chillies. After cross-breeding the pepper responsible for the Carolina Reaper with another incredibly hot chilli, Pepper X was born.
The Effects of Consuming Pepper X
Ed Currie personally experienced the effects of Pepper X by consuming one whole pepper in a video. He described feeling intense heat for over three hours, followed by cramps. The main active component in Pepper X, capsaicin, binds to receptors in nerve cells, triggering inflammatory responses and creating the burning sensation associated with consuming spicy food.
Managing the Spiciness
Consuming excessive amounts of spicy food, including Pepper X, can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, stomach pain, and burning diarrhea. Drinking milk can help alleviate the heat as the dairy protein casein attracts and surrounds the oil-based capsaicin molecules, providing relief.
What’s Next?
Despite Pepper X’s current title as the hottest pepper in the world, Ed Currie plans to continue his experimentation with pepper breeding. He cultivates over 100 peppers each year and is already working on testing the next potential contender for the spice crown.
