Carolina Reaper vs Ghost Pepper

Both super-hots, but the Reaper doubles the Ghost Pepper's heat with sweeter, fruitier notes.

Quick Compare Heat Flavor Culinary Best For Substitution Growing Buying Mistakes FAQ Related

Carolina Reaper

Super-Hot
1.4M–2.2M SHU
USA · C. chinense
VS
2×

Ghost Pepper

Super-Hot
855K–1M SHU
India · C. chinense

Quick Comparison

Attribute Carolina Reaper Ghost Pepper
Scoville (SHU) 1.4M–2.2M 855K–1M
Heat Tier Super-Hot Super-Hot
vs Jalapeño 275× hotter 130× hotter
Flavor Profile fruity and sweet smoky and sweet
Species C. chinense C. chinense
Origin USA India

Heat Comparison

Position on the Scoville Scale
Carolina
Ghost
0 SHU3.2M SHU

Carolina Reaper is 2× hotter than Ghost Pepper. Carolina Reaper is 275× hotter than a jalapeño, while Ghost Pepper is 130× hotter.

Flavor Profile

Carolina Reaper
fruity sweet C. chinense
Ghost Pepper
smoky sweet C. chinense

Both peppers belong to C. chinense, which means they share some underlying flavor chemistry. However, Carolina Reaper’s fruity and sweet notes contrast with Ghost Pepper’s smoky and sweet character.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Carolina Reaper if...
✔ You want maximum heat
✔ You prefer fruity and sweet flavors
✔ You need a C. chinense variety
Choose Ghost Pepper if...
✔ You want milder, more approachable heat
✔ You prefer smoky and sweet flavors
✔ You need a C. chinense variety

Can You Substitute One for the Other?

Proceed with caution. Carolina Reaper is 2× hotter than Ghost Pepper. Here’s how to adjust:

Replacing Ghost Pepper with Carolina Reaper
Use approximately 1/2 the amount. Start with less and add gradually — you can always add more heat, but you can’t take it away.
Replacing Carolina Reaper with Ghost Pepper
Use 2× the amount, but note you still won’t reach the same heat intensity.

Buying & Storage

What to Look For (Both)
  • Firm pods with taut skin and consistent color
  • Should feel heavy relative to size
  • Minor stem cracks (“corking”) are normal
  • Avoid anything soft, shriveled, or with dark wet spots
How to Store (Both)
  • Fresh: Paper bag, crisper drawer — 1–2 weeks
  • Frozen: Wash, dry, freeze on sheet pan — 6+ months
  • Dried: Airtight, away from light — up to 1 year
Mistakes to Avoid with Carolina Reaper & Ghost Pepper
Carolina Reaper
  • Skipping gloves. Capsaicin absorbs through skin at this heat.
  • Using too much. Start with a quarter pod and wait 10 min.
  • Drinking water for the burn. Use full-fat dairy instead.
Ghost Pepper
  • Skipping gloves. Capsaicin absorbs through skin at this heat.
  • Using too much. Start with a quarter pod and wait 10 min.
  • Drinking water for the burn. Use full-fat dairy instead.

The Verdict: Carolina Reaper vs Ghost Pepper

Carolina Reaper and Ghost Pepper sit in the same heat tier but serve different roles. Carolina Reaper delivers 2× more heat with its distinctive fruity and sweet character. Ghost Pepper, with its smoky and sweet profile, excels in recipes that need significant but manageable heat.

Full Carolina Reaper Profile → Full Ghost Pepper Profile →

Related Comparisons

Compare
Carolina Reaper vs Habanero
A massive heat gulf — the Reaper can be 20x hotter — yet both share fruity chinense genetics.
Compare
Ghost Pepper vs Habanero
The Ghost Pepper roughly triples the habanero's heat with a distinctive slow-building smoky burn.
Sources & References

Data from USDA FoodData Central. American Chemical Society. PubMed – Capsaicin Research. PubMed – TRPV1 Receptor. EPPO Global Database. Chile Pepper Institute. PuckerButt Pepper Company.

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