Chili is an awesome ingredient in the cuisines of many different cultures, bringing an invigorating kick and exotic touch to everyday dishes. Many chefs will find it exciting to experiment with chili in their cooking, and with about four thousand different known types, the strength of each chili can vary a lot from species to species. Officially, the heat of a chili is measured on the Scoville scale. Being aware of this can help you choose the chili that best suits your taste. Here you can check out Plantui’s review of the world’s hottest chilies and find a few varieties suitable for cooking at home.
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion is the world’s hottest chili, according to tests by the chili institute of the National University of Mexico, measured to have more than two million scoville units. In comparison, the fierce spiciness of Tabasco sauce, which is familiar to many, is only 2,500 to 5,000 scoville units! Simply the thought alone of how spicy this chili is can cause cold sweats to anyone unfamiliar with spicy food. There has never been a recorded death from anyone having a chili overdose, so a small piece of even the hottest chili in the world can be tasted by anyone. However, it is highly recommended to avoid larger quantities.
Carolina Reaper is the hottest chili in the world, according to Guinness World Records. The strength of this chili is about 1.6 million scoville units, and eating one whole has even resulted in hospitalization. The name Reaper, comes from the way the chili’s tail resembles the ominous sharp shape of a scythe.
Habanero is a subspecies of chilies, the most typical version of which are orange in color. Habanero is traditionally used in Latin America and is the most important ingredient in many condiments. Habanero’s heat is usually around 100,000 to 350,000 scoville units.
Thai chili, or Bird’s eye chili, gets its name from its small size and the way the tip points upwards. Thai chili is now widely used in Southeast Asian cooking, even as a side dish served raw. But its heat still requires a bit of getting used to, with about 50,000 to 100,000 scoville units.
Demon Red, which you can find in Plantui’s selection, is a small and peppery chili that is suitable for a more delicate palate. The strength is about 30,000 to 50,000 scoville units, making it comparable on the chili scale to the tabasco or cayenne pepper. Demon Red is great, for example, for bringing a spark to vegetable soups or Asian meat stews.
Jalapeno is a chili found at the milder end of the scale and is native to Mexico. Jalapeno is commonly found as a canned condiment, typically used in Tex-Mex dishes or as a pizza topping, but it can also be found on the fresh shelf of the grocery store. Fresh jalapeno has a delicate taste and goes well with, for example, a homemade guacamole dip, as the heat of a jalapeno is only between 2,500–8,000 scoville units.
