Carolina Reaper vs Trinidad Moruga Scorpion: A Guide to the World's Hottest Chilli Peppers

The Carolina Reaper and the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion are extremely hot chilli peppers but differ in appearance, flavour, and heat level.

1. Appearance: The Carolina Reaper is a small, red, bumpy pepper with a pointed tail, while the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion is also red but has a more wrinkled and gnarled appearance and a less defined tail.
    
2. Flavour: The Carolina Reaper has a sweet and fruity flavour, with hints of cinnamon and chocolate, while the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion has a slightly fruity and smoky flavour, with a floral aroma.
    
3. Heat level: Both peppers are scorching, but the Carolina Reaper has a slightly higher Scoville rating (the unit of measurement for spiciness) of up to 2.2 million. At the same time, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion ranges from 1.2 million to 2 million.

Overall, both peppers are not for the faint of heart and should be used with caution. If you're a fan of spicy food, you may appreciate the fruity and complex flavours of the Carolina Reaper. At the same time, those who prefer a smoky and floral taste may choose the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion. However, be prepared for some severe heat!

The Carolina Reaper was developed by Ed Currie, a South Carolina farmer and hot pepper enthusiast. He began working on the pepper in the early 2000s, combining different chilli peppers to create a new hybrid variety that would be even hotter than existing peppers.
After years of experimentation and crossbreeding, Currie developed the Carolina Reaper pepper. The final crossbreed is between a La Soufriere pepper from Saint Vincent and a Naga pepper from Pakistan.
It was officially recognized as the world's hottest chilli pepper by the Guinness World Records in 2013, with an average Scoville rating of over 1.5 million.
Since its debut, the Carolina Reaper has gained a cult following among chilli pepper enthusiasts, becoming popular in spicy sauces, snacks, and dishes. In addition to its heat, the pepper is also known for its unique flavour profile, which includes notes of sweetness, fruitiness, and smokiness.
Today, the Carolina Reaper is grown commercially in several countries worldwide (including by ourselves in Spain and the UK). It has become a symbol of the growing trend of scorching peppers and spicy foods. Despite its popularity, however, the Carolina Reaper should be handled cautiously, as its heat can be extremely intense and even dangerous for those not used to spicy foods.

The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion was first discovered in the village of Moruga in Trinidad and Tobago in the early 2000s. It quickly gained a reputation as one of the hottest chilli peppers in the world, with some reports placing its Scoville rating at over 2 million.

The pepper was initially cultivated by local farmers, who selectively bred it to create a more uniform and consistent variety. Its popularity soon spread to other countries, and the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion is now grown commercially in several regions worldwide.

Like the Carolina Reaper, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion has become a popular ingredient in spicy sauces, snacks, and dishes and is prized for its intense heat and complex flavour profile. However, it is also known for its notoriously difficult growing conditions, which require a hot and humid climate with specific soil and water conditions.

Despite its relatively recent discovery, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion has quickly become a fixture in the world of hot peppers and is widely regarded as one of the hottest chilli peppers in the world. Its unique flavour and heat have made it a favourite among chilli pepper enthusiasts and foodies alike.