The Pepper Obsessed Expert: Ed Curry on Creating the Hottest Pepper in the World
Summary
This Q&A article features Ed Curry, a pepper enthusiast who bred and created the Carolina Reaper, the hottest pepper in the world. Curry talks about his passion for super-hot peppers, his methods for crossbreeding different peppers, and how he measures their spiciness. Additionally, Curry shares insights on the growing demand for hot sauce and spicy food in America.
Table of Contents
- The Beginnings of a Pepper Obsession
- Crossbreeding and Creating the Hottest Pepper in the World
- Measuring the Scoville Heat Unit
- The Growing Demand for Spicy Foods
- Conclusion
Introduction
Do you consider yourself a spicy food enthusiast? Are you a fan of the Carolina Reaper, the hottest pepper in the world? Look no further, as we delve into the fascinating world of peppers with Ed Curry, the mastermind behind the Carolina Reaper. From crossbreeding diverse peppers to creating an entire line of spicy sauces and salsas, Curry has dedicated his life to his passion for super-hot peppers. Read on to learn more about his methods for creating the hottest pepper in the world, how to measure a pepper’s spiciness, and the current demand for spicy foods in America.
The Beginnings of a Pepper Obsession
Q: How did you first get interested in peppers?
A: I’ve always enjoyed spicy food. However, in the early 1980s, while attending a chili cook-off in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I met a man named Frank Garcia who grew some of the hottest peppers I had ever tasted. That sparked my interest in growing my own super-hot peppers.
Q: How do you crossbreed two different pepper plants?
A: Crossbreeding involves selecting two different pepper plants with desirable traits and combining the pollen from one plant with the stigma of the other. This creates a hybrid pepper that has traits from both parents. I repeat this process over several generations until I get a stable hybrid pepper with predictable traits and consistent fruit.
Crossbreeding and Creating the Hottest Pepper in the World
Q: What motivated you to create the Carolina Reaper, the hottest pepper in the world?
A: I wanted to beat the previous record for the spiciest pepper, which had a Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) of 2 million. By combining different peppers with high Scoville ratings, I bred the Carolina Reaper, which has an SHU of 1.5 to 2.5 million.
Q: Are you planning to make even spicier peppers in the future?
A: Yes, I believe there’s still room to make peppers even spicier. I’m currently working on a pepper that I hope will reach 3 million SHU. Creating new pepper varieties is an exciting challenge for me.
Q: Why did you decide to launch Pucker Butt Pepper Company?
A: I wanted to share my passion for super-hot peppers with others. Through Pucker Butt Pepper Company, I can create a line of spicy sauces, salsas, mash, and mustard that showcase some of the hottest peppers in the world.
Measuring the Scoville Heat Unit
Q: How do you measure the spiciness of a pepper?
A: We use a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) machine to analyze the different properties in peppers, like capsaicinoid, tannin, flavonoid, and coloring agents. From that data, we calculate the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) using a specific math equation, which involves measuring the area of the peaks.
Q: Have you ever tried to eat a Carolina Reaper?
A: Yes, I consume super-hot peppers regularly. The physical reactions, like shaking and increased heart rate, are very real. However, over time, my body has become accustomed to the spiciness.
The Growing Demand for Spicy Foods
Q: Why do you think the hot sauce industry is growing in America?
A: America is becoming more diverse, and with that comes a diverse range of food cultures. The changing demographic has led to an increased demand for spicy food. Additionally, the internet has helped popularize spicy foods through videos of people eating peppers and challenging each other to “hot sauce challenges.”
Q: What’s next for the hot sauce industry?
A: As the demand for hot sauce continues to grow, we can expect to see new and innovative flavors and combinations. Additionally, there’s an increasing trend toward all-natural and organic ingredients in hot sauces.
Conclusion
From the beginnings of his pepper obsession in the 1980s to creating the hottest pepper in the world, Ed Curry’s passion for super-hot peppers has led him on an exciting journey. Through his work at Pucker Butt Pepper Company and his crossbreeding techniques, Curry has helped to popularize spicy foods and make them more accessible to all. With an increasing demand for spicy foods in America, the future looks hot for the hot sauce industry.
