If you‘re a fan of spicy food, then you‘re probably familiar with the Carolina Reaper, the Guinness World Record holder for the world’s hottest chili pepper. However, there’s a new contender in town – the Dragon’s Breath pepper. Both peppers certainly pack a fiery punch, but what sets them apart? In this article, we‘ll compare Dragon’s Breath vs. Carolina Reaper, delving into their distinct characteristics and finding out which one is the perfect fit for your recipe.
| Dragon's Breath pepper | Carolina reaper pepper | |
| SHU | 2,480,000 - 2,480,000 | 1,400,000 - 2,200,000 |
| Median SHU | 2,480,000 | 1,800,000 |
| Flavor | Sweet, Fruity | Fruity and sweet, with an intense and lasting heat |
| Species | Capsicum chinense | Capsicum chinense, Hybrid (Naga pepper x Habanero) |
| Origin | United Kingdom | South Carolina, USA |
| Uses | Extreme hot sauces | Hot sauces, salsas, chili, marinades, etc. |
Table of contents
What is Dragon’s Breath?
The Dragon’s Breath pepper was developed through a collaboration between chili farmer Neal Price, NPK Technology, and Nottingham Trent University, who were testing a special plant food and the essential oil of the pepper for potential use as a skin anesthetic.
Later, breeder Mike Smith from Wales cultivated the plant, not with the intention of creating a record-breaking hot pepper, but to grow an attractive pepper plant. As a nod to the pepper’s Welsh roots, it was named Dragon’s Breath after the Welsh dragon.
The Dragon’s Breath pepper is considered to be one of the world’s hottest peppers, with a Scoville rating of up to 2,480,000 SHU. It has a fiery red color and a bumpy texture. The pepper has a slightly sweet and fruity taste, but its primary characteristic is its intense heat.
Eating even a small piece of this pepper can cause burning sensations in the mouth and throat, sweating, and tears. Some people even find themselves experiencing difficulty breathing after consuming this pepper.
Despite its extreme heat, the Dragon’s Breath pepper has gained a huge following among chili pepper enthusiasts and spice lovers around the world. It‘s not commonly used in cooking, but people use it to create some of the world’s hottest hot sauces. There are even contests and challenges where individuals compete to see who can eat the most of the pepper.
It‘s important to handle the Dragon’s Breath pepper with care and use it sparingly due to its intensity.
What is the Carolina Reaper?
The Carolina Reaper is a chili pepper created by Ed Currie of the PuckerButt Pepper Company. It‘s a hybrid of the Naga pepper and the Habanero and was officially recognized as the world’s hottest pepper in 2013 by the Guinness World Records, with a Scoville rating of 1,641,183 SHU.
The Carolina Reaper has a distinctively wrinkled texture, with a small pointed tail at the end. The peppers, when mature, are a brilliant red color. It has a fruity and slightly sweet aftertaste. However, its primary characteristic is its intense heat.
The Carolina Reaper is used in cooking to add an extra hot kick to dishes, such as chili, salsa, and hot sauces. It‘s also used as seasoning in snacks, such as chips and beef jerky, and even in a few craft beers!
Since the Carolina Reaper’s recognition by Guinness World Records, it‘s continued to gain popularity as the go-to pepper for those seeking the ultimate heat experience. The pepper has inspired a new subculture of spice enthusiasts who seek out and consume some of the world’s spiciest foods as a challenge. In fact, many restaurants now offer “Reaper Challenges,” where individuals attempt to consume a certain amount of the pepper or a dish made with the pepper within a set time limit.
Although the Carolina Reaper is the current holder of the title for the world’s hottest pepper, there are ongoing efforts to create even hotter peppers. Some breeders are attempting to cross-breed the Carolina Reaper with other peppers to create a new hybrid that will push the limits of spiciness even further. However, this process isn‘t without its challenges, and it remains to be seen if any pepper will be able to dethrone the Carolina Reaper as the world’s hottest.
What are the Similarities Between Dragon’s Breath and the Carolina Reaper?
Dragon’s Breath and the Carolina Reaper are two of the hottest peppers in the world, and they share several similarities.
Firstly, both peppers are extremely hot, with Scoville ratings well above 1,000,000 SHU. The Dragon’s Breath pepper is considered to be hotter than the Carolina Reaper, with a Scoville rating of up to 2,480,000 SHU, while the Carolina Reaper has a Scoville rating of 1,400,000- 2,200,000 SHU. Both peppers are known for their intense heat and burning sensations in the mouth and throat, sweating, and bringing people to tears.
Secondly, both peppers are relatively new to the market, having been developed only in the past decade or so. The Dragon’s Breath was developed in the United Kingdom in 2017, while the Carolina Reaper was created in South Carolina in 2013. Both peppers have gotten wildly popular recently due to their extreme heat and unique flavor profiles, making them fun to play with.
Lastly, both peppers have become notorious for their use in spicy food challenges and competitions. People will attempt to eat one of these peppers as a challenge, often resulting in physical reactions like sweating, shaking and even vomiting. Also both peppers have been used in the creation of fun, spicy foods ranging from sauces to chips and even jerky.
What are the Differences Between Dragon’s Breath and the Carolina Reaper?
Despite their similarities, there are several key differences between Dragon’s Breath and Carolina Reaper peppers.
To start, there‘s a difference in the way the peppers are rated on the Scoville scale, which measures the spiciness. With a Scoville rating of 1,641,183 SHU, the Carolina Reaper holds the Guinness World Record for the hottest pepper in the world, but the Dragon’s Breath pepper hasn‘t received official recognition from the organization. Some sources estimate that Dragon’s Breath peppers may have a Scoville rating of up to 2.,480,000 SHU, while others suggest that it may be milder than the Carolina Reaper. This difference can be important to those who are searching for the spiciest pepper around or those interested in participating in chili-eating contests.
Another major difference between these two peppers is their appearance. The Dragon’s Breath pepper has a smoother, more uniform texture than the Carolina Reaper, which has a distinctively wrinkled surface. Additionally, Dragon’s Breath peppers tend to be the smaller of the two peppers, with a rounder shape and a slightly pointed tip. This difference in appearance can also affect how the peppers are used in cooking, as the size and shape can impact the texture and visual appeal of the dish.
Finally, another difference between the two peppers is their origin. While the Carolina Reaper was created in the United States by Ed Currie, the Dragon’s Breath pepper was developed in Wales by a team of researchers, including chili farmer Neal Price, NPK Technology, and Nottingham Trent University. This difference in origin may not affect the taste or spiciness of the peppers themselves, but it can be important to those who are interested in the history and background of different chili varieties!
FAQ about Dragon's Breath and Carolina Reaper
What‘s the Scoville rating of Dragon's Breath and Carolina Reaper peppers?
Dragon's Breath pepper has an estimated Scoville rating of up to 2,480,000 SHU, while Carolina Reaper has a Scoville rating between 1,400,000 and 2,200,000 SHU.
Who is responsible for the creation of Dragon's Breath and Carolina Reaper peppers?
The Dragon's Breath pepper was initially developed as part of a collaboration between chili farmer Neal Price, NPK Technology, and Nottingham Trent University during a test of special plant food and for its essential oil having potential as a skin anesthetic. Later, breeder Mike Smith of St Asaph, Denbighshire, Wales cultivated the plant, which led to the popularization of the pepper. The Carolina Reaper, on the other hand, was created by Ed Currie, the founder of PuckerButt Pepper Company in South Carolina, through years of crossbreeding between the Habanero and Naga pepper varieties.
Are Dragon's Breath and Carolina Reaper peppers commonly used in cooking?
While both peppers are primarily known for their extreme heat, the Carolina Reaper is more commonly used in cooking to add an extra kick to dishes, such as chili, salsa, and hot sauces. Dragon's Breath isn‘t generally used in cooking due to its overwhelmingly intense heat.
What are some popular dishes that use Carolina Reaper peppers?
Carolina Reaper peppers are often used in dishes that require an extra solid heat kick, such as chili, hot sauce, salsa, and curry. They‘re also used to make spicy snacks, including beef jerky, popcorn, and chips. Some craft breweries also use Carolina Reaper peppers to make hot and spicy beer.
Are Dragon's Breath and Carolina Reaper peppers available for purchase?
Yes, both peppers can be purchased from specialty food stores, online retailers, and some farmer's markets. However, due to their extreme heat, they are usually sold in small quantities and are suggested to be used sparingly.
Are there any risks associated with consuming Dragon's Breath and Carolina Reaper peppers?
Both peppers can cause burning sensations in the mouth and throat, sweating, and tears, even from a small piece. Some people may also experience vomiting and difficulty breathing after consuming these peppers. It‘s important to handle the peppers with care and use them sparingly due to their intensity.