Carolina Reaper vs Habanero

A massive heat gulf — the Reaper can be 20x hotter — yet both share fruity chinense genetics.

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

6×

Habanero

Extra-Hot

100K–350K SHU

Mexico · C. chinense

Quick Comparison

Attribute	Carolina Reaper	Habanero
Scoville (SHU)	1.4M–2.2M	100K–350K
Heat Tier	Super-Hot	Extra-Hot
vs Jalapeño	275× hotter	44× hotter
Flavor Profile	fruity and sweet	fruity and citrusy
Species	C. chinense	C. chinense
Origin	USA	Mexico

Heat Comparison

Position on the Scoville Scale

Carolina

Habanero

0 SHU3.2M SHU

Carolina Reaper is 6× hotter than Habanero. Carolina Reaper is 275× hotter than a jalapeño, while Habanero is 44× hotter. They fall in different heat tiers: Carolina Reaper is classified as super-hot while Habanero sits in the extra-hot range.

Flavor Profile

Carolina Reaper

fruity sweet C. chinense

Habanero

fruity citrusy 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 Habanero’s fruity and citrusy 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 Habanero if...

✔ You want milder, more approachable heat

✔ You prefer fruity and citrusy flavors

✔ You need a C. chinense variety

Can You Substitute One for the Other?

Proceed with caution. Carolina Reaper is 6× hotter than Habanero. Here’s how to adjust:

Replacing Habanero with Carolina Reaper

Use approximately 1/6 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 Habanero

Use 5× 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 & Habanero

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.

Habanero

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 Habanero

Carolina Reaper and Habanero occupy very different positions on the heat spectrum. Carolina Reaper delivers 6× more heat with its distinctive fruity and sweet character. Habanero, with its fruity and citrusy profile, excels in recipes that need significant but manageable heat.

Full Carolina Reaper Profile → Full Habanero Profile →