Dear Chili Heads, and Everyone Else,
I have been receiving email after email for several months now regarding the “Naga Viper” pepper that supposedly has broken the record for the hottest pepper. I have researched this extensively and have found no concrete evidence that this record has been broken. Sure, I have seen pictures of this pepper, or something called the Naga Viper but the testing from Warwick University in England is not conclusive. Sure, they tested something that rated the 1.3 million on the Scoville scale, but what was in this sample? It could have easily been laced with synthetic capsaicin (remember pepper spray tests at approximately 2 to 5 million SHU).
Further, they stated that they only tested a small sample and concluded that further testing was needed by another source to verify and confirm the results. AND, how did they test this small sample? The only recognized testing method that I know of is via HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). Was it tested by this method? We have had our Bhut Jolokia peppers tested many, many times in New Mexico. We ALWAYS send them about 1/4 cup of each sample to be tested and this is because the lab requires this amount to verify results.
Warwick University stated that they only had a small sample for their testing. Did they test the “Naga Viper” more than once? I think IF a potential world record was set, that they would have tested again, or THAT THE OWNER OF THIS SAMPLE would have tested again to verify. I know that if I would have set the world record that I would have had Guinness there to verify and post this ASAP. With this being said, I have doubts that this chili pepper did test at this record breaking level. Not to ruffle any feathers in the UK, I just don’t buy this story.
For the statement released by Warwick University, click here.
Aloha and Mahalo,
Jamie
thehottestpepper.com
