Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Peppers
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The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion pepper is fiercely spicy. The small, wrinkled peppers look angry, because they are. They are known as one of the hottest peppers in the world.
They are most commonly used to make super-spicy hot sauces and powders. Moruga Scorpions are highly sought after for these uses, and by daredevils, too. They take a long time to fully ripen, often 1-2 months longer than a typical jalapeño.
About Moruga Scorpion Peppers
Scoville Heat Units: 1.2 – 2 million+ SHUs
Diameter: 1 – 3 inches
Length: 1 – 3 inches
Color: Red, Yellow
Species: Capsicum chinense
Buy Seeds: Bohica Pepper Hut, Refining Fire
The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion pepper is a landrace variety found on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. Known to be wickedly spicy, this pepper has been used to breed other superhots.
The pepper’s name stems from its origins in the village of Moruga on the island of Trinidad. Trinidad is known for many superhot pepper cultivars, including the various 7 pot peppers.
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Pepper Scoville
In 2012, the Moruga Scorpion was measured as the hottest pepper on Earth. While testing a variety of other superhot peppers, the Moruga was found to be the hottest of them all.
To put it simply, the moruga scorion pepper has an average Scoville rating of 1,200,000 SHUs, with the hottest individual peppers reaching over 2,000,000 SHUs. This means the Moruga Scorpion is about 240 times hotter than a jalapeño.
1,200,000 SHUs was the mean Scoville rating (or an average of all the individual peppers tested). Two particular peppers from the study were tested at over 2,000,000 SHUs! Either way, the moruga scorpion is right up there with the 7 Pot Primo and the Carolina reaper for heat.
With all of that spice, the moruga scorpion is a favorite for making super-spicy hot sauces. For example, Tabasco has a scorpion sauce that is fiery hot (and full of flavor).
Moruga Scorpion Pepper Flavor
Spicy Caribbean peppers are known for their fruity flavor, and the Moruga Scorpion is no different. The flavor is distinct and unlike any common store bought pepper you’ll find. Unfortunately, if you don’t like heat, you may never know how delicious these peppers are!
The C. chinense pepper species tend to have similarities in flavor. These flavors are commonly described as floral, nutty, citrusy and fruity. However, the Caribbean types, like the scotch bonnet, tend to be less floral and more well-regarded for flavor.
If it weren’t for the intense burn, these may be a more common snacking pepper. Either way, it is no wonder that Moruga Scorpions make for delicious hot sauce.
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Pepper Seeds
Since it is one of the hottest in the world, Moruga Scorpion seeds are always in high demand. Check some of our recommended pepper seed sellers for availability. Here are a few places to check:
Calvin
One of the original Pepper Geeks! When Calvin isn’t gardening or learning more about peppers and botany, he might be traveling new places or playing some music.
HI! I’m a subscriber of your channels and love the content. I’m having a hard time finding info on which super hot peppers will flower in hot areas (100+). I keep my garden shaded with 50% shade cloth but reapers and none of the Caribbean types will even flower here during the middle of summer. Only Habanero, some Scorpions and Red Savina are fruiting. Do you know where I can get a list of peppers suitable for dry arid climates? This would be a great topic for a video seeing as the info just isn’t out there. Thanks for eveything you do!
Hello! It’s my 1st year growing any hot peppers. My son loves spicy food so I designated one of my raised beds to chili peppers, scorpion peppers and ghost peppers this year! I’m so scared to harvest the ghost and scorpion! I watched your ghost pepper harvesting video. Does all that apply to Scorpions as well?
Do I need gloves to pick off peppers?
Can the leaves burn you if touched?
Thank you for any help!
They won’t burn you unless you break into the skin. The outside of the peppers do not have any heat, it all inside. Wearing gloves is still a good idea if you want to be on the safe side!
@peppergeek, Appreciate you responding, thanks!!
@peppergeek, one last question! What kind of gloves are safe to use to cut up ghost and scorpion peppers? Do you recommend a brand? Thanks!
We use nitrile gloves – the purple kind from Amazon. Never been burned through those!
Do you recommend using 5″pots for the 1st transplant after which the peppers can move directly into 5gallon buckets or should I pot up further before transplanting to the 5gallon buckets .
We go from 3.5″ to full-sized pots. 5″ works too
My family loves hot chili oil.. how can I make my own at home? I have a few ripe peppers left my patio ( habanero Anaheim Jalapenos) and a lot of different varieties of very hot dried peppers . Can I combine these in oil , OR. vinegar??
❣️ Your site! Happy New Year!!