Nashville Hot Chicken

Getting Know Pepper Varieties that Bring the Heat

Pepper Varieties

What is the Carolina Reaper Chili Pepper?

The Carolina Reaper is a chili pepper bred by Ed Currie, who owns the PuckerButt Pepper Company. It’s the hottest pepper in the world, with an average heat level of 1.57 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The SHU rating measures how spicy a food or drink item is on the Scoville scale, which measures the number of capsaicinoids (the chemical compounds responsible for giving peppers their spicy flavor) contained within it.

The Carolina Reaper’s nickname is “the devil’s tongue” because of its fiery nature and intense flavor profile. It has sweet notes and citrusy and floral undertones that come together to create what some people describe as an almost minty taste–and others say they can’t describe it at all!

History of the Carolina Reaper Chili Pepper

The Carolina Reaper chili pepper was first discovered in South Carolina by Ed Currie, a self-proclaimed “chili head” and founder of PuckerButt Pepper Company. He found the seeds for his new superhot variety in a local store and planted them in his garden. The plants were then grown out and tested by experts at Winthrop University, who confirmed that they were indeed an extremely hot variety.

The Guinness World Records organization named it the world’s hottest chili pepper in 2013, with an average heat level of 1,569,300 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) per gram!

How to Grow the Carolina Reaper Chili Pepper

The Carolina Reaper chili pepper is a hot pepper that can be grown in most climates. It is a perennial plant, so it will continue to grow year after year if you keep it well-watered and fertilized. The Carolina Reaper chili pepper prefers soil that drains well but can tolerate some standing water as long as it’s not left there.

Regarding water requirements, this plant needs about one inch of water per week during the growing season (April through October). During the winter months, when growth slows down significantly or stops until springtime arrives again, you should reduce watering to once every two weeks at most.

Uses of the Carolina Reaper Chili Pepper

The Carolina Reaper chili pepper is a fiery little number used in many ways. It’s popular in cooking, as well as in medicine and hot sauces.

Nutritional Benefits of the Carolina Reaper Chili Pepper

The Carolina Reaper chili pepper has numerous vitamins and minerals to help you live healthier. These include:

  • Vitamin A helps your body fight off infections and promotes good vision.
  • Vitamin B6 helps maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails.
  • Vitamin C supports immune function and protects against cancer-causing free radicals (unstable molecules).

The Carolina Reaper is also rich in antioxidants such as beta carotene (a precursor to vitamin A), quercetin (found in fruits and vegetables), kaempferol (found in apples), and lutein (found in leafy green vegetables). Antioxidants aid in preventing cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules produced by normal metabolic processes within our bodies or exposure to environmental toxins (such as cigarette smoke or pollution). The presence of free radicals over time may lead to premature aging of cells or even cancer if left unchecked.

Health Benefits of the Carolina Reaper Chili Pepper

Carolina Reaper chili peppers are one of the hottest peppers in the world, with a Scoville heat rating of about 2 million. There are many health benefits to eating Carolina Reapers, including pain relief and weight loss.

The capsaicin found in these peppers has been shown to help reduce inflammation, which can help relieve pain caused by arthritis or other conditions. Pepper extract has also been used to treat migraines and cluster headaches because of its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase circulation throughout your body.

Carolina Reaper peppers are also known for enhancing moods by increasing dopamine levels–the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of happiness and pleasure–while decreasing serotonin production (which causes depression).

Tips for Handling the Carolina Reaper Chili Pepper

  • Wear Gloves
  • Avoid Touching Eyes and Mouth
  • Use Water to Wash Hands and wash thoroughly with soap

Popular Products Featuring the Carolina Reaper Chili Pepper

The Carolina Reaper chili pepper is famous for hot sauces, spicy snacks, and powders.

The chili’s popularity has grown since Ed Currie first created it in South Carolina. The pepper’s heat level is measured at 2 million Scoville units on the scale – making it one of the hottest peppers!

Conclusion

The Carolina Reaper Chili Pepper is a unique and flavorful chili pepper with many uses and health benefits. It’s not for everyone, but Carolina Reaper peppers can add some kick to your favorite recipes for those spicy food enthusiasts.