11 Tasty Chilli Varieties by Heat Ranked: From Mild to Wild

Are you a hot and spicy food lover, always looking for ways to spice up your food? With over 2,000 varieties of chillies in the market, knowing where to start cannot be very clear. In this article, we narrow down the top 11 spiciest chillies in the world to guide you on your never-ending chilli journey. To understand the heat levels of chillies, we introduce the Scoville Scale, which rates chillies based on the concentration of capsaicin, the compound responsible for the fiery sensation in chilli peppers.

Our list ranges from the popular Jalapeno pepper, ranking 2,500 to 8,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), to the notorious Naga Viper pepper, which runs from 1,250,000 to 1,360,000 SHU, which is sure to set your tongue on fire. These chillies will add a kick to any dish you add them to, and we’ll try to leave you with ideas on how you can incorporate them into your cooking. So, get ready to spice up your life with the top 11 spiciest chillies in the world!

How Many Different Types of Chili Peppers Exist?

Although at least a dozen chilis we can all name off the top of our heads, there are only five essential varieties of chillies. But from those five come a plethora of chillies, the cultivars, and hybrids of those original ones. It’s hard to say precisely how many chillies there are; some estimates say 2,000, whereas others go as far as 4,000. This is mainly because chillies’ names vary on several factors, and even picking the chilli at a different stage gives it another name.

The Scoville Test

To understand the heat levels of chilli peppers, we must introduce the Scoville Scale. This system rates peppers from 0 (no heat) to over 2 million (extremely hot) based on the concentration of capsaicin, a compound responsible for the fiery sensation in chilli peppers. The original Scoville test was organoleptic, made by making a chilli pepper extract diluted in water and sugar until the burning sensation was no longer noticeable. Simply put, it depends on the subject’s responsiveness or amount of spice tolerance.
The modern Scoville testing is more scientific, utilizing a process called High-Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC). Remember that various individuals have resilience for spicy food, so keep this in mind while considering other factors.

The Top 11 of The Spiciest Chili in The World

We’ve done some serious digging and have managed to narrow down the extensive list of peppers to just 11 of the spiciest chillies in increasing order of severity/spiciness:

1. The Jalapeno Pepper

Jalapenos are one of the most popular chilli peppers in the world. Although not the hottest chilli on this list, it is still one of the most widely used chillies on the earth, thanks to its tangy and smoky flavour. Commonly used in Mexican households, you can put it in anything from Jalapeno Poppers to Lamb Roast, and with its 2,500 to 8,000 Scoville heat rank, it will ensure you get that spicy flavour you crave for.

2. Cayenne Pepper

From Mexican to Indian, this versatile chilli is used in almost all spicy dishes worth their salt. Often used in chicken tikka masala, Cayenne Pepper ranges from 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Named after the Cayenne city of French Guiana, this chilli spread its flavours all over the world and is now used in varied dishes from all cultures, such as Jambalaya (a spicy Cajun dish typically made of rice, vegetables, sausage, chicken, and shrimp), chicken bhuna masala and spicy hummus which is a typical hummus enjoyed with seasoning of cumin and cayenne pepper.

3. Thai Bird’s Eye Chili

A small but potent chilli with 50,000 to 100,000 SHU, the Thai Bird’s Eye chilli can provide more heat than you’d expect from such a tiny package. Also called “prik kee noo” in Thai, where it originates, the chilli is perfect for all spice lovers. You can stir-fry it with noodles, tofu, shrimp, and chicken to prepare yourself a great bowl of Pad Thai. Finally, you can combine Nam Prick with this chilli with fish sauce, garlic, and lime.

4. Habanero

The Habanero Pepper is a well-known choice around South and North America. This Mexican Chili is frequently used in hot sauces, marinades, and rubs because it has a heat range of 100,000 to 350,000 SHU but also carries a citrusy and fruity flavour that goes great with bold meat flavours. In addition, this has been popularized as the perfect condiment with tacos, habanero margaritas, and mango salsa.

5. The Red Savina Pepper

Although technically a specific variant of the Habanero, the Red Savina pepper is a much hotter version of its parent. Once considered the world’s hottest chilli, it ranges from 350,000 to 580,000 SHU. This fiery red pepper is often used in all kinds of hot sauces and spice blends for its ability to keep you reaching for the milk. And despite that, you will often see it being generously used in the Caribbean and Mexican households in dishes such as tacos and jerk chicken.

6. Naga Viper Pepper

The Naga Viper pepper is described perfectly as an immigrant chilli. This UK-born chilli with Indian roots crosses the line of being spicy, ranging from 1,250,000 to 1,360,000 SHU; it is known for causing physical pain and mental anguish. For a good reason, it was given the title of the World’s Hottest Chili by the Guinness World Records in 2011.

7. Pot Douglah Pepper

It is a chocolate-coloured chilli famous for its searing heat, ranging from 923,000 to over 2 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This pepper is one of the spiciest in the world and is commonly used in hot sauces. The intense spiciness of the 7 Pot Douglah pepper is well-known. It is perhaps the most aromatic pepper on the planet; the title is also attributed to the highly unbearable sting you feel and the spice. The intense heat may also cause some people pain in other parts of their bodies.

8. Scorpion Butch T

This pepper hybrid developed in the USA is a mix between the scorpion chilli of Trinidad and the Butch T pepper. Initially cultivated in Trinidad, this chilli packs a heat rating ranging from 800,000 to over 1 million SHU, almost 200 times as hot as a jalapeno. It is popular in Trinidad because of its unique ability to pack intense heat but still has a sweet lingering undertone at the same time. So, if you ever try seafood paella in Trinidad, chances are you’ll likely get a taste of the Scorpion Butch, which may initially seem tantalizing. And, if you want to carry the same compelling feeling in your pocket, you can get yourself a packet of Trinidadian pepper sauce made by mixing the Scorpion Butch T chilli peppers, vinegar, garlic, and a few other spices.

9. Trinidad Moruga Scorpion

In 2012, “Trinidad Moruga Scorpion” was formally recognized as the hottest pepper in the world by the Guinness Book of Records. The Trinidadian Moruga pepper, hailing from the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago, has impressive Scoville heat units of 2,000,000 SHU, roughly half as hot as pepper sprays used by law enforcement. This fiery pepper, shaped like a toad and about the size of a golf ball, is a popular ingredient in traditional Tobagonian dishes such as curries, stews, and chutneys. So whether you’re a heat-seeker or enjoy the unique flavour of this pepper, the Trinidadian Scorpion is a must-try for any culinary adventurer looking to add a little spice to their life.

10. Ghost Pepper

Originating in North East India, the Ghost Pepper fits its name perfectly cause anyone who eats this chilli whole might as well be a ghost. With a Scoville rating of 1 million, it has inspired fun yet potentially dangerous activities, such as challenges over the internet of people daring each other to eat as many ghost peppers as possible. When blended with Garam Masala, it is used to season meats. On the other hand, a chutney made of Ghost pepper is used to spice up soups. Believe it or not, this Chili also makes safety weapons like pepper spray.

11. Carolina Reaper

“The Hottest Chili in the World”- With a Scoville rating of 2.2 million SHU, this pepper holds the title of the hottest Chili in the world and the Guinness World Record for being the hottest pepper on earth. The first thing that comes to mind when discussing this pepper is whether it is possible to eat the Carolina Reaper. Believe it or not but this pepper has health benefits. Some studies suggest that having Carolina Reaper in moderation has advantages, including improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and even weight loss. Shows such as “Hot Ones,” where the tolerance limit of the guests is tested, have popularized the Carolina Reaper. On the front, contestants must eat increasingly spicy foods, with the Carolina Reaper chilli often being the grand finale.

Vital Chilli Peppers Every Food Enthusiast Should Know About

There are numerous types of chillies; learning about them all would take a lifespan. However, there is a select handful that every food lover should know about. Here is a list of some of our favourites, along with explanations for each:

Bell Peppers– They seem hot. However, they taste great and have a captivating appearance. Bell peppers are incredible for roasting and stuffing, as well as fajitas and stir fries, and they instantly add flavour to salads and veggie platters when they are chopped, sliced, and served on the platter.

Jalapeno – Even the most tender spice lovers can easily consume the standard Jalapeno. A pinch of Jalapeno can enhance your sauces, chilli, or nachos with a remarkable flavour boost and bearable spice level. Additionally, they work as appetizers like bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers served hot off the grill.

Chipotle– These are dried jalapenos. Since they are dried, they are better for storage and have a long shelf life. Again, most folks can tolerate a little heat from chipotles in a BBQ spice rub.

Serrano Peppers– These simple-to-use peppers will spice up your homemade salsa for a genuine Mexican feast because they are warm but don’t leave any burning sensation afterwards.

Cayenne Pepper– With Cayenne, there isn’t much you can’t do. Keep these red devils on hand to give your soups, spice rubs, marinades, or takeaway pizza some zap. It tastes good when baked into cakes and pastries made of chocolate.

Test the Heat with These Chili Peppers

There is a large and intriguing universe of chilli peppers. Unfortunately, the number of cultivars and hybrids created from just five original varieties of chillies makes it practically impossible to count them all. Although the Scoville Scale is a valuable tool for determining the spiciness of chilli peppers, it’s crucial to remember that everyone has a varied threshold for spice tolerance.

The top 11 spiciest chilli peppers, each with a distinctive flavour and level of heat, are finally ranked in a thorough list. Plenty of pepper options exist for people who enjoy spicy food, from the pungent Jalapeno to the hot Naga Viper.

So, go at them and challenge yourself to the 11 tasty chilli varieties!