Small, yellow-green, and unassuming, Pepper X is anything but when it comes to heat. According to Guinness World Records, Pepper X has unseated the infamous Carolina Reaper as the world's hottest pepper.
Pepper X was developed by Ed Currie, founder of PuckerButt Pepper Company in South Carolina. According to Mr. Currie, Pepper X measures an average of 2.693 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU). In comparison, a jalapeño measures just 2,000 to 8,000 SHUs, while a serrano can clock in between 10,000 and 23,000 SHUs.
The previous record holder, the Carolina Reaper, which was also developed by Currie, averages 1.64 million SHUs, making X nearly twice as hot.