124 varieties

Smoked Peppers

Smoking adds depth that drying alone cannot. Chipotles (smoked jalapeños), morita, and smoked paprika are the most common — each brings a different character.

124 varieties 6 comparisons 5 heat levels

Use these next-step routes to move from category browsing into substitutions, pairings, and recipes.

Best peppers for salsa Best peppers for stuffing Chipotle substitute options Smoked paprika substitute options Mango salsa recipe

About Smoked Peppers

Smoking adds depth that drying alone cannot. Chipotles (smoked jalapeños), morita, and smoked paprika are the most common — each brings a different character. This collection covers 124 varieties. Each profile includes Scoville heat ratings, flavor notes, and culinary recommendations.

In this collection, Carolina Reaper leads with 2.2M SHU, while Peperone di Senise comes in at 0 SHU. Browse all peppers by heat level or explore our pepper guides for cooking and growing tips.

Need a substitute? Our pepper substitutes tool finds the closest match by heat and flavor. For side-by-side analysis, try our pepper comparison hub.

Notable Varieties
Carolina Reaper — 1.4M–2.2M SHU, USA. fruity flavor.
Chocolate Bhutlah — 1.5M–2M SHU, USA. smoky flavor.
Dorset Naga — 900K–1.5M SHU, United Kingdom. fruity flavor.
7 Pot Primo — 1M–1.5M SHU, USA. fruity flavor.
7 Pot Brain Strain — 1M–1.4M SHU, USA. fruity flavor.
Profiles

All Smoked Peppers

124 varieties

Every variety in this collection, sorted by maximum Scoville heat rating. Click any card for the full profile with flavor notes, anatomy details, growing tips, and substitutes.

Super-Hot

Carolina Reaper

USA · 1.4M–2.2M SHU

fruity sweet C. chinense
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Super-Hot

Chocolate Bhutlah

USA · 1.5M–2M SHU

smoky intense C. chinense
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Super-Hot

Dorset Naga

United Kingdom · 900K–1.5M SHU

fruity intense C. chinense
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Super-Hot

7 Pot Primo

USA · 1M–1.5M SHU

fruity floral C. chinense
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Super-Hot

7 Pot Brain Strain

USA · 1M–1.4M SHU

fruity intense C. chinense
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Super-Hot

7 Pot Red Giant

Trinidad · 850K–1.2M SHU

fruity smoky C. chinense
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Super-Hot

7 Pot Katie

USA · 800K–1.2M SHU

fruity bright C. chinense
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Super-Hot

Congo Trinidad

Trinidad · 1M–1.2M SHU

fruity floral C. chinense
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Super-Hot

Ghost Pepper

India · 855K–1M SHU

smoky sweet C. chinense
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Super-Hot

Bhut Jolokia Chocolate

India · 800K–1M SHU

smoky fruity C. chinense
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Super-Hot

Nagabon

USA · 800K–1M SHU

fruity hot C. chinense
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Super-Hot

Bhut Jolokia White

India · 800K–1M SHU

fruity floral C. chinense
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Chocolate Habanero
300K–425K SHU
Fatalii
125K–400K SHU
Hot Paper Lantern Pepper
300K–400K SHU
Madame Jeanette
100K–350K SHU
Aji Chombo
100K–350K SHU
Jamaican Hot Chocolate
100K–350K SHU
Wiri Wiri
100K–350K SHU
Chocolate Scotch Bonnet
100K–350K SHU
Orange Habanero
150K–325K SHU
Datil Pepper
100K–300K SHU
Piri Piri Pepper
50K–175K SHU
Bird's Eye Chili
50K–100K SHU
Thai Chili
50K–100K SHU
Chiltepin
50K–100K SHU
Siling Labuyo
80K–100K SHU
Cabe Rawit
50K–100K SHU
Teja Chili
50K–100K SHU
Charleston Hot
70K–100K SHU
Prairie Fire
70K–80K SHU
Tien Tsin
50K–75K SHU
Piquin Pepper
30K–60K SHU
Cayenne Pepper
30K–50K SHU
Guntur Chili
35K–50K SHU
Facing Heaven Pepper
30K–50K SHU
Aji Limo
30K–50K SHU
Aji Cristal
30K–50K SHU
Santaka Pepper
40K–50K SHU
Numex Easter
30K–50K SHU
NuMex Twilight
30K–50K SHU
Red Pepper Flakes
15K–45K SHU
Calabrian Chili
25K–40K SHU
Lemon Drop
15K–30K SHU
De Arbol
15K–30K SHU
Japones Pepper
15K–30K SHU
Peperoncino
15K–30K SHU
Reshampatti Chili
10K–30K SHU
Sanaam Chili
10K–30K SHU
Black Pearl Pepper
10K–30K SHU
Chinese 5 Color
10K–30K SHU
Bolivian Rainbow Pepper
10K–30K SHU
Aji Pineapple
20K–30K SHU
Royal Black Pepper
5K–30K SHU
Little Elf Pepper
5K–30K SHU
Serrano Pepper
10K–23K SHU
Isot Pepper
10K–23K SHU
Peter Pepper
10K–23K SHU
Sport Pepper
10K–23K SHU
Buena Mulata
5K–15K SHU
Beaver Dam Pepper
5K–15K SHU
Aji Mirasol
6K–15K SHU
Gochugaru
2K–10K SHU
Fresno Pepper
3K–10K SHU
Morita Pepper
5K–10K SHU
Korean Green Pepper
2K–10K SHU
Pasilla de Oaxaca
4K–10K SHU
Gochugaru Flakes
2K–10K SHU
Puya Pepper
5K–8K SHU
Jalapeño
3K–8K SHU
Chipotle
3K–8K SHU
New Mexico Chile
1K–8K SHU
Hatch Chile
1K–8K SHU
Red Jalapeño
3K–8K SHU
Purple Jalapeño
3K–8K SHU
Pretty in Purple Pepper
4K–8K SHU
Sandia Pepper
5K–7K SHU
Cascabella Pepper
2K–6K SHU
Jalafuego Pepper
4K–6K SHU
Costeño Pepper
3K–5K SHU
Medusa Pepper
1K–5K SHU
Sangria Pepper
2K–5K SHU
Cowhorn Pepper
3K–5K SHU
NuMex Centennial Pepper
1K–5K SHU
Espelette Pepper
2K–4K SHU
Cascabel Pepper
1K–3K SHU
Mulato Pepper
3K–3K SHU
NuMex Big Jim
500–3K SHU
Padrón Pepper
500–3K SHU
Anaheim Pepper
500–3K SHU
Chilaca Pepper
1K–3K SHU
Chilhuacle Pepper
2K–3K SHU
Chilaca/Pasilla Relationship
1K–3K SHU
Kashmiri Chili
1K–2K SHU
Ancho Pepper
1K–2K SHU
Poblano Pepper
1K–2K SHU
Guindilla Pepper
1K–2K SHU
Urfa Biber
500–2K SHU
Aji Panca
1K–2K SHU
NuMex Heritage 6-4
1K–2K SHU
Long Hot Italian
100–1K SHU
Alma Paprika
500–1K SHU
Smoked Paprika (Pimentón)
250–1K SHU
Piquillo Pepper
500–1K SHU
Choricero Pepper
500–1K SHU
Ñora Pepper
500–1K SHU
Holy Mole Pepper
700–800 SHU
Santa Fe Grande
500–700 SHU
Pimento Pepper
100–500 SHU
Jimmy Nardello
0–500 SHU
Trinidad Perfume
0–500 SHU
Aji Dulce
0–500 SHU
Biquinho Pepper
80–500 SHU
Shishito Pepper
50–200 SHU
Gypsy Pepper
0–100 SHU
Tangerine Dream Pepper
0–100 SHU
NuMex Joe E. Parker
0–0 SHU
Prik Kee Noo
0–0 SHU
Guntur Sannam
0–0 SHU
NuMex Heritage Big Jim
0–0 SHU
Togarashi Pepper
0–0 SHU
Yatsufusa Pepper
0–0 SHU
Rezha Macedonian
0–0 SHU
Peperone di Senise
0–0 SHU

Heat Level Distribution

How smoked peppers distribute across the Scoville scale. Click any tier to browse all peppers at that heat level.

Super-Hot 12 varieties Extra-Hot 18 varieties Hot 38 varieties Medium 38 varieties Mild 18 varieties

Heat Range Comparison

Visual breakdown of where each variety falls on the Scoville scale. The bar width shows the documented SHU spread — wider bars mean more variable heat between individual pods. Learn why heat varies in our guide to pepper heat variation.

Carolina Reaper 1.4M–2.2M
Chocolate Bhutlah 1.5M–2M
Dorset Naga 900K–1.5M
7 Pot Primo 1M–1.5M
7 Pot Brain Strain 1M–1.4M
7 Pot Red Giant 850K–1.2M
7 Pot Katie 800K–1.2M
Congo Trinidad 1M–1.2M
Head-to-Head

Related Comparisons

All comparisons →

Side-by-side breakdowns of heat, flavor, and culinary uses. Each comparison covers Scoville ratings, pod anatomy, and substitution options.

2.2M vs 350K

Carolina Reaper vs Habanero: What's the Difference?

The Carolina Reaper and habanero share the same species and a fruity flavor base, but they sit in completely different heat…
2.2M SHU vs 350K SHU
2.2M vs 1M

Carolina Reaper vs Ghost Pepper: What's the Difference?

The Carolina Reaper tops the Scoville scale at 1,400,000-2,200,000 SHU, making it one of the most intense peppers ever measured. The…
2.2M SHU vs 1M SHU
2.2M vs 2M

Carolina Reaper vs Trinidad Moruga Scorpion: Compared

The Carolina Reaper and Trinidad Moruga Scorpion sit at the absolute ceiling of measurable heat - two C. chinense monsters separated…
2.2M SHU vs 2M SHU
2.2M vs 3.2M

Carolina Reaper vs Pepper X Showdown: Heat, Flavor & Uses

The Carolina Reaper held the Guinness World Record title from 2013 to 2023, clocking in at 1,400,000-2,200,000 SHU. Then Ed Curlin…
2.2M SHU vs 3.2M SHU
1.9M vs 2.2M

7 Pot Douglah vs Carolina Reaper: Key Differences Explained

The 7 Pot Douglah and Carolina Reaper both hail from the super-hot classification tier, but they arrive there through very different…
1.9M SHU vs 2.2M SHU
2.2M vs 2M

Carolina Reaper vs Chocolate Bhutlah: What's the Difference?

Two American-bred super-hots going head to head: the Carolina Reaper (1,400,000-2,200,000 SHU) holds a Guinness record, while the…
2.2M SHU vs 2M SHU

Browse all comparisons in our comparison hub, or use the pepper tools for calculators and finders.

Learn

Related Guides

All guides →

Deep-dive articles covering the cooking techniques, growing methods, and science behind smoked peppers.

Best Peppers for Smoking
The best peppers for smoking include jalapeño (chipotle), ancho, and cherry…
How to Dry Peppers at Home
Air drying, oven, and dehydrator methods. Storage tips and which varieties dry…
Fresh vs Dried Peppers
How drying changes pepper flavor and heat. Name changes, substitution ratios…
How to Make Chili Powder
Grind your own chili powder from dried peppers. Single-origin and blended…

Frequently Asked Questions

We cover 124 varieties. More exist as regional cultivars.
Sources & References

Explore More

Browse our full pepper database, compare varieties head-to-head, or find peppers by heat level. For cooking inspiration, check our guides and recipes.

All Peppers
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Comparisons
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Heat Levels
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Substitutes
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