Most Spiciest Thing in the World: A Guide to the Hottest Foods on Earth
The most spiciest thing in the world can be subjective and depends on individual tolerance for heat. However, some specific foods and ingredients are widely considered some of the spiciest in the world based on their Scoville Heat Units (SHUs), which measure the heat level of chili pepper.
Some of the most piquant peppers worldwide include the Carolina Reaper, Pepper X, and the Dragon’s Breath chili, reaching up to 2.2 million SHUs or higher. Other spicy foods and ingredients include hot sauces, chili powders, and various cuisines that use spicy peppers and spices. It’s important to use caution when consuming the hottest food, as they can sometimes cause discomfort pain, and even harm the digestive system.
What Makes Food Spicy?
Before diving into the world’s spiciest foods, let’s first understand what makes food spicy. The heat in spicy foods comes from capsaicin, found in chili peppers. When you eat something spicy, capsaicin binds to receptors in your mouth and throat, triggering a sensation of heat and pain. The more capsaicin a food contains, the hotter it will be.
The Scoville Scale
The Scoville scale measures different foods’ heat levels and spiciness. The Scoville scale measures the amount of capsaicin in food and assigns it a numerical value. The higher the number, the hotter the food. For reference, a bell pepper has a Scoville rating of 0. In contrast, the Carolina Reaper, one of the hottest peppers in the world, has a Scoville rating of over 2 million.
The World’s Spiciest Peppers
When it comes to spicy food, peppers are often the first thing that comes to mind. There are many different peppers, each with varying levels of heat. Here are some of the hottest peppers in the world:
Dragon’s Breath pepper
The Dragon’s Breath pepper is one of the world’s hottest chili. Initially developed for medicinal purposes, it was rated over 2 million on the Scoville heat unit (SHU). It is more desirable than the Carolina Reaper.
Eating a Dragon’s Breath pepper can cause discomfort and even be dangerous. It can make you sweat, feel like your mouth and throat are burning, and cause breathing difficulties. Eating Dragon’s Breath peppers is not recommended, as they are not approved for consumption and could be harmful.
While the Dragon’s Breath pepper is super spicy, it’s important to remember that it’s unsafe to eat and should be avoided.
Carolina Reaper
The Carolina Reaper is the spiciest thing in the world right now. It ranked as the Guinness World Record hottest pepper. The Carolina Reaper is currently considered the hottest pepper in the world, with a Scoville Heat Unit ranging from 1.56 million units to 2.2 million shu units, which is more than twice as hot as the last World Record Holder, the Trinidad Scorpion pepper.
The Carolina Reaper can make you uncomfortable. It can make you sweat and feel like your mouth and throat are burning. It can even make you sick, and you must go to the hospital if you overeat.
Other spicy hot chili peppers include the Ghost Pepper and the 7 Pot Douglah. Still, right now, the Carolina Reaper is the spiciest one.
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion
The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion pepper used to be considered the spiciest thing in the world before the Carolina Reaper took the title. It has a Scoville heat unit (SHU) rating of around 2 million, which is incredibly hot.
Like the Carolina Reaper pepper, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion can cause intense discomfort if you overeat it. It can make you sweat, feel like your mouth and throat are burning, and even feel sick.
While the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion is not currently recognized as the spiciest thing in the world, it’s still an incredibly hottest chili pepper and should be used cautiously.
Red Savina pepper
The Red Savina pepper, also known as the “hottest pepper in the world,” was the hottest pepper according to the Guinness World Records in 2006. It is a type of habanero pepper that can reach up to 570,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHUs), making it incredibly spicy. However, other peppers, such as the Carolina Reaper, Pepper X, and the Dragon’s Breath chili, have surpassed the Red Savina in heat. So while the Red Savina pepper is still very spicy, it is not currently the most intense thing in the world.
Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper)
The Bhut Jolokia, also known as the Ghost Pepper, is one of the spiciest things in the world. It has a Scoville heat unit (SHU) rating of over 1 million, which is extremely hot.
Eating a Ghost Pepper can cause a lot of discomfort. It can make you sweat, feel like your mouth and throat are on fire, and even feel sick. However, it’s less hot and spicy than the Carolina Reaper or the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion.
Even though it’s not currently recognized as the spiciest thing in the world, the Ghost Pepper is still one of the hottest chili peppers and should be used cautiously.
Naga Viper
The Naga Viper is a hybrid chili pepper created in England by crossbreeding three other peppers: the Naga Morich, the Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper), and the Trinidad Scorpion. It was briefly “the world’s hottest pepper, with a peak Scoville rating of 1.4 million. However, it has since been surpassed by peppers like the Carolina Reaper and the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion.
The Naga Viper has a fruity flavor with a slow burn that builds over time. It is often used to make hot sauces but can also be dried and ground into a powder for spice.
Jalapeno
The jalapeño pepper is one of the most popular peppers in the world and is widely used in Mexican cuisine. It is a medium-sized chili pepper that is typically harvested when it is green. However, it can also be left to ripen and turn red.
Jalapeños have a Scoville rating of 2,500 and 8,000, making them much milder than some of the world’s hottest peppers. They have a distinct spicy and slightly sweet flavor, with a crisp texture that makes them ideal for use in salsas, sauces, and other dishes.
Other Most Spiciest Thing Around the World
Peppers and hot sauces aren’t the only foods that can be spicy. Here are some other spicy foods to try:
Wasabi
Wasabi is a popular condiment in Japanese cuisine that is often served with sushi. It has an intense, spicy flavor can cause your eyes to water and your nose to tingle. However, most of the wasabi served outside of Japan is a mixture of horseradish, mustard, and food coloring, as authentic wasabi is expensive and difficult to cultivate.
Sichuan Peppercorns
Sichuan peppercorns are a staple in Sichuan cuisine and have a unique spicy and numbing flavor. They are often used in dishes like map tofu and hot pot and can be found in many Asian grocery stores.
Hot Pot
A hot pot is a Chinese dish that involves cooking raw ingredients in a pot of boiling broth. The broth can be seasoned with spicy ingredients like chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns, making it a popular choice for those who love spicy food.
Safety Precautions for Eating Most Spiciest Thing
While spicy food can be delicious, it’s essential to consume it in moderation and take precautions to avoid any adverse side effects. Here are some tips for safely enjoying spicy food:
Start Small
If you’re not used to eating spicy food, start with milder options and work up. Gradually increase the heat level so that your body can adjust.
Drink Milk
If you eat something too spicy and need relief, reach for a glass of milk instead of water. The fat in milk helps to neutralize the heat.
Don’t Touch Your Eyes
When handling spicy peppers, avoid touching your eyes or other sensitive areas. Capsaicin can cause intense burning and irritation.
Conclusion: Most Spiciest Thing in the World
Whether you’re a fan of peppers, hot sauce, or spicy dishes, there are plenty of options for those who love the heat. Spicy food is diverse and exciting, from the Carolina Reaper to the hot pot. Always consume spicy foods in moderation and take precautions to avoid adverse side effects.
FAQs
Can spicy food be dangerous?
Eating extremely spicy food can be dangerous for some people, especially those with pre-existing health conditions. It’s essential to consume spicy foods in moderation and listen to your body’s signals.
Does drinking water help with spicy food?
Drinking water can temporarily relieve the heat of spicy food but doesn’t neutralize the capsaicin as milk does.
Can you become immune to spicy food?
While you can build up a tolerance to spicy food over time, you will always be somewhat resistant. Capsaicin will always cause a reaction in your mouth and throat.
Is it safe to handle hot peppers with your bare hands?
It’s best to wear gloves or use utensils when handling hot peppers, as capsaicin can cause intense burning and irritation on the skin.
What’s the hottest pepper in the world?
As of 2023, the Carolina Reaper holds the record for the hottest pepper in the world, with a Scoville rating of over 2 million.