The Carolina Reaper is an super hot chilli variety. Bred by Ed Currie ,or Smokin Ed, of The PuckerButt Pepper Company, South Carolina, USA.
The Carolina Reaper ripens from green to bright red. Flavors and heat levels increase as the fruit matures. Peppers are between 2.5 and 5cm wide, and 5 to 7cm long. They have a distinctive plumpy shape with a tail similar to the Scorpion Pepper. They skin texture can become bumpy.
The Scoville rating the Carolina Reaper is between 1,400 000 and 2,200 000 Scoville units. This pepper takes heat to a whole new level being the previous world record holder until overtaken by Pepper X in October 2023.
The plants prefer warmer conditions where temperatures reach between 20 and 30°C. They don’t tolerate frost very well.
Difficulty: Easy
Soil: Peppers prefer rich, well composted, loamy soil with good drainage.
Sowing: Spring/Summer
Germination: 14-21 days
Days to maturity: 100-150 days
Position: Full sun
Spacing: 50×50 cm
Sow Depth: 5mm
Height: 70-100 cm
Watering: Once or twice a week is a good start and allow the water to drain thoroughly. However, water needs can vary depending on weather conditions and growth stage. Water more frequently during warmer times. Do not overwater pepper plants.
Growing Notes:
There are various ways to germinate seeds. You can use the moist paper towel method, germinate in trays indoors or sow directly in pots. However, it is a good idea to start seeds indoors in small pots or germination trays. Keep the medium moist during germination and if you can maintain a warm consistent temperature it will be beneficial. You can soak seeds for about 2 hours to soften the seeds. It is common to soak seeds in a weak Hydrogen peroxide or weak chamomile tea solution. Do not sow seeds too deep. Be patient as some hotter varieties can take weeks to germinate. After seeds sprout and a few leaves have formed, you can start to transplant and move outdoors when temperatures become warmer. Peppers love rich soil, so adding compost to the garden or potting mix is highly recommended.
Be cautious when handling these hot peppers. Where gloves when handling frequently. Protect your eyes. Do not touch your eyes or other vulnerable parts of the body after working with these peppers.
Uses:
Carolina Reapers are super hot with an initial sweet fruity flavor and then blistering heat. Great for making hot sauce. Use Reapers sparingly, as a little goes a long way. They can be dried or smoked, and ground into spices as well as be pickled and dehydrated.
Origin:
The Carolina Reaper was bred by Ed Currie ,or Smokin Ed, of The PuckerButt Pepper Company, South Carolina, USA. The Carolina Reaper is a cross between a Red Habanero and the Naga Viper.
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