The Carolina Reaper Origin Story

Although there are 50,000 types of peppers grown globally, the majority aren't "hot" peppers. Spicy Chili peppers only make up about 4,000 of those. If you have ever researched or looked up the most popular or hottest chili peppers, then you've probably seen or read about the Carolina Reaper. And if you're a fan of spicy food, then you're most definitely familiar with the Carolina Reaper.

The Carolina Reaper pepper is famous for being the hottest pepper in the world (at least for now). But what do you know about the Carolina Reaper's origins? Who created the Carolina Reaper and when was it created?

Let's answer all your questions about the origins of the Carolina Reaper and everything else you'll want to know about the world's hottest chili pepper.

Who Created The Carolina Reaper

The Carolina Reaper was created by Ed Currie, the founder of PuckerButt Pepper Company. Currie has been enjoying hot chiles for decades. He got into Chili peppers when he went away to school. Ed expressed in an interview that it was his way of staying healthy with all those wild parties going on around him.

Not only did Currie get into peppers as a way to stay away from parties and stay healthy, but there are also studies suggesting that capsaicin (the active ingredient in hot peppers that makes them spicy) is helping fight against certain cancer cells.

In an interview, Ed stated that "My family dies from cancer a lot," Ed explains. "So I've been researching how not to die."

What Was the Carolina Reaper Named For

The Carolina Reaper was originally named the HP22B. However, it is now more commonly known and called the Carolina Reaper. The name comes from two things, the state Ed Currie lives in and based on the unique look of the chili pepper.