In the culinary world, the pursuit of the extreme is a constant challenge. From the spiciest sauces to the hottest peppers, there's an inherent fascination with what challenges our senses and tests our limits. In this context, Pepper X has recently become the new benchmark for extreme spiciness, that is leaving spice enthusiasts worldwide with their mouths open, quite literally.
Origin and Creation
Pepper X was developed by horticulturist Ed Currie, founder of the PuckerButt Pepper Company. Currie is known for his dedication to cultivating extremely spicy peppers.
The creation process was very detailed and took years of work. Currie employed selective breeding methods by crossing a pepper with a distinct set of capsaicinoids with the Carolina Reaper, which was formerly known as the world's hottest pepper. The outcome of this crossbreed was the creation of Pepper X.
Heat Level
The Guinness World Records recognized Pepper X as having an average of 2,693,000 SHU in August 2023. To put it into perspective, the commonly used Tabasco sauce typically has around 2,500-5,000 SHU, while the Carolina Reaper reaches approximately 1,500,000 – 2,200,000 SHU. This makes Pepper X approximately 1,000,000+ SHU hotter than the Carolina Reaper.
Why Create an Extremely Spicy Pepper?
The natural question that arises is, why would someone want to create or consume something so spicy? According to Cerullo (2023), Ed Currie explained in an interview with CBS News that he has three reasons: "One, because people keep saying it can't be done, and I like a challenge. Two, it can be used for medicinal purposes in cancer research, heart disease, obesity, addiction, and more. Three, if I can make it hotter, the economies of scale are greater.
Pepper X has an advantage when it comes to economies of scale. If you want to attain a desired level of spiciness in a sauce using a mixture of peppers, you may need a large quantity of this pepper compared to a spicier variety where only a small amount would be enough to achieve the same level of heat.
In conclusion, Pepper X represents a remarkable achievement in the world of extremely spicy peppers, challenging previous standards with its exceptional heat level. Its meticulous creation and recognition by the Guinness World Records highlight its uniqueness in the culinary world. Furthermore, the potential medicinal applications and economic advantages it offers underscore its significance beyond being merely a culinary curiosity. In summary, Pepper X is a symbol of innovation and perseverance in the pursuit of the extreme in gastronomy.
Discover here all the varieties of peppers we cultivate in our greenhouses.
