Trinidad Moruga Scorpion vs Carolina Reaper
Carolina Reaper is hotter, at about 1,641,183 SHU against 1,200,000 SHU for Trinidad Moruga Scorpion: about 1.4× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 0.8× to 1.8×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Trinidad Moruga Scorpion | Carolina Reaper | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 1,200,000 SHU | 1,641,183 SHU |
| Measured range | up to 2,000,000 SHU | up to 2,200,000 SHU |
| Status | Lab tested | Guinness record |
| Species | Capsicum chinense | Capsicum chinense |
| Origin | Moruga, Trinidad and Tobago | Fort Mill / Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA |
| Flavour | Tender, fruit-like flavour that gives a sweet-hot combination | Fruity and sweet, with a hint of cinnamon and chocolate undertones (Guinness description) |
| Colours | red, yellow | red |
The Scoville maths
The Scoville scale is linear: a pepper at 2,000,000 SHU has twice the capsaicinoids of one at 1,000,000 SHU. So the ratio is a simple division, 1,641,183 ÷ 1,200,000 ≈ 1.4×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (0.8× to 1.8× across the measured ranges).
In between
4 peppers sit between Trinidad Moruga Scorpion and Carolina Reaper by typical heat.
- Trinidad Scorpion Butch T1,463,700 SHU
- 7 Pot Primo1,400,000 SHU
- Komodo Dragon1,400,000 SHU
- Naga Viper1,382,118 SHU
About each pepper
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion: A Trinidadian landrace named after the Moruga district.
Carolina Reaper: Bred by Ed Currie of PuckerButt Pepper Company.
Questions
Which is hotter, Trinidad Moruga Scorpion or Carolina Reaper?
Carolina Reaper. It averages about 1,641,183 SHU against 1,200,000 SHU for Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, about 1.4× as hot.
How many times hotter is Carolina Reaper than Trinidad Moruga Scorpion?
About 1.4× using typical values (1,641,183 ÷ 1,200,000). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 0.8× to 1.8×.
How hot is Trinidad Moruga Scorpion?
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion: up to 2,000,000 SHU, lab tested.
How hot is Carolina Reaper?
Carolina Reaper: up to 2,200,000 SHU, guinness record.
Are Trinidad Moruga Scorpion and Carolina Reaper the same species?
Yes, both are Capsicum chinense.
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- Ghost Pepper vs Trinidad Moruga ScorpionTrinidad Moruga Scorpion 1.2×
- Carolina Reaper vs HabaneroCarolina Reaper 7.3×
- Naga Viper vs Carolina ReaperCarolina Reaper 1.2×
- 7 Pot Douglah vs Carolina ReaperCarolina Reaper 1.4×
- 7 Pot Primo vs Carolina ReaperCarolina Reaper 1.2×
Sources
- NMSU News Center, 13 Feb 2012 (Chile Pepper Institute study by Bosland, Coon, Reeves): Trinidad Moruga Scorpion: mean more than 1.2M SHU; individual plants more than 2M; method; date
- NMSU Chile Pepper Institute, 'Heat' page (archived 19 Jun 2021): Trinidad Moruga Scorpion: CPI top-10 list: Moruga 2 million SHU
- Guinness World Records news, 19 Nov 2013: Carolina Reaper: 1,569,300 SHU average; parentage per Guinness; previous holder Butch T
- Guinness World Records (record page, archived 24 Dec 2014): Carolina Reaper: record text: average 1,569,300 SHU, Winthrop tests throughout 2012, dated 7 Aug 2013
Full source lists are on each pepper's page.