Trinidad Scorpion Butch T pepper
| Trinidad Scorpion Pepper | |
|---|---|
 Trinidad Scorpion pepper pods | |
| Species | Capsicum chinense |
| Hybrid parentage | Trinidad moruga scorpion |
| Breeder | Butch Taylor |
| Origin | Crosby, Mississippi |
| Heat |
 Exceptionally hot |
| Scoville scale | 500,000 - 1,463,700 SHU |
The Trinidad scorpion pepper is a Capsicum chinense cultivar that is among the most piquant peppers in the world. It is indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago.[1] It was named by Neil Smith from The Hippy Seed Company,[2] after he got the seeds originally from Butch Taylor (the owner of Zydeco Farms in Woodville/Crosby, Mississippi, and a hot sauce company) who is responsible for propagating the pepper's seeds.[3] The "scorpion" peppers are referred to as such because the pointed end of the pepper is said to resemble a scorpion's stinger.
World record[edit]
The Trinidad scorpion 'Butch T' pepper was, for three years, ranked the most pungent ("hot") pepper in the world according to Guinness World Records.[4][5] A laboratory test conducted in March 2011 measured a specimen at 1,463,700 Scoville heat units, officially ranking it the hottest pepper in the world at that time.[note 1] One possible secret to the chili's heat, according to a cultivator of the pepper, is fertilizing the soil with the liquid runoff of a worm farm.[6] In August 2013, Guinness World Records recognized the Carolina Reaper as the hottest pepper in the world, at 1,569,300 SHU.[7]
Note[edit]
- ^ The pungency of a species of chili pepper can vary by up to a factor of 10 depending on the conditions under which the specimen grew.
References[edit]
- ^ Torrisi, Lauren (February 16, 2012). "Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Crowned World's Hottest Pepper". ABC News. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
- ^ Drew, A.J. "Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Pepper". Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ^ "New Record Broken Again!" Retrieved April 14, 2011
- ^ "Hottest chili" at Guinness World Records Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ^ "Guinness World Records" Archived 2013-02-13 at the Wayback Machine. at Guinness World Records. Retrieved February 19, 2013
- ^ "Aussies grow world's hottest chilli" Retrieved April 14, 2011
- ^ Hottest Chili, Guinness Worlds Records
