The hottest chili pepper is the Carolina Reaper, which was created by South Carolina breeder Ed Currie. In 2013, the Carolina Reaper was certified by the Guinness World Records as the world's hottest chili pepper, with an average Scoville rating of 1,569,300. Its heat level is approximately 400 times hotter than Tabasco sauce, and even a small amount of this pepper can cause intense burning and mouth-numbing pain. The Carolina Reaper has a fruity, sweet flavor, and it is commonly used in hot sauces, marinades, and spicy dishes.