The Kraken Scorpion pepper is a large, brown, super-hot variety that was created by Mike Hess of Peoria, Illinois in 2013. It is a cross between the Bhut Jolokia India Carbon and the Trinidad Scorpion Chocolate. It’s an extremely hot pepper, with a Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) rating of over 1,000,000. This puts it among the hottest peppers in the world, a true “face-melter.” Beyond the spiciness, the flavor of the Kraken Scorpion is described as floral, earthy, and smoky. The peppers are great for making hot sauce or a very hot seasoning powder.
Kraken Scorpion fast facts
| Scoville heat units (SHU) | 1,000,000 – 1,200,000 |
| Median heat (SHU) | 1,100,000 |
| Jalapeño reference point | 125 to 480 times hotter |
| Capsicum species | Chinense |
| Origin | United States |
| Use | Culinary |
| Size | Approximately 3 to 4 inches long, slight tail |
| Flavor | Floral, Earthy, Smoky |
How hot is the Kraken Scorpion?
The Kraken Scorpion is a super-hot pepper, easily topping 1,000,000 Scoville heat units (SHU), with some reports placing it near 1,200,000 SHU (and potentially above.) And that’s no surprise as it’s a hybrid between the Bhut Jolokia India Carbon (750,000 to 1,000,000 SHU) and the Trinidad Scorpion Chocolate (1,200,000 to 2,000,000 SHU). It’s among the hottest peppers of the world, but doesn’t compete with the infamous Pepper X or Carolina Reaper for the top spots.
To put that extreme heat into perspective, let’s compare it to our reference point, the jalapeño (2,500 to 8,000 SHU). The Kraken Scorpion, at minimum, is 125 times hotter, with the potential (mildest jalapeño/hottest Kraken Scorpion) of reaching 480 times hotter. It’s a massive difference.
The spiciness of the Kraken Scorpion follows a similar pattern as that of the Bhut Jolokia (a.k.a. ghost pepper): It’s a slow, delayed burn that builds up over time and tends to linger.
Learn More: Discover The Hottest Peppers In The World
What does the Kraken Scorpion look like and taste like?
The peppers are elongated, fatter than ghost (Bhut Jolokia) or naga peppers, and sometimes have a tiny tail at the pointed end. The Kraken Scorpion has a rough, pimply outer skin and can grow to three to four inches long, large enough to almost fill the palm of an average hand. They ripen from green to brown and sometimes dark brown. The plant can grow over four feet tall and produces a good harvest.
The flavor of the Kraken Scorpion is described as floral, earthy, and smoky. And as this chili has a slow burn, those flavors do present themselves before the hammer drops on the extreme heat.
How can you use this chili?
Like all extreme chilies, the best use cases for the Kraken Scorpion are focused as an additive to super-hot recipes and products. It excels as an extreme hot sauce or BBQ sauce ingredient and it can add both flavor and fire to spicy seasoning blends. It’s a fun chili, too, to make into chili flakes as the floral and smoky flavors are quite unique compared to typical super-hot chili flakes.
Kraken Scorpion ingredient pairings
We focus on ingredients here that work well as hot sauce/BBQ sauce ingredient pairings, considering both flavor and how well they can pair with the extreme heat.
- Tomatoes: The natural sweetness and acidity of tomatoes can help balance the intense heat of the Kraken Scorpion pepper, providing a rich base for the hot sauce.
- Garlic: Garlic adds a robust, savory flavor that complements the heat of the pepper. Its aromatic qualities enhance the overall depth of the sauce.
- Onions: Sweet or caramelized onions can add a mild sweetness and complexity, helping to mellow out the extreme heat while contributing to the sauce’s body.
- Vinegar (Apple Cider or White): The acidity of vinegar not only preserves the sauce but also cuts through the heat, adding a tangy brightness that elevates the overall flavor profile.
- Citrus Juice (Lime or Lemon): The zesty acidity of citrus juice brightens the sauce and enhances the pepper’s floral notes, creating a refreshing contrast to the heat.
- Honey or Agave Syrup: A touch of sweetness from honey or agave syrup can help balance the heat, adding a layer of flavor that rounds out the sauce nicely.
- Chipotle Pepper: The smokiness of the chipotle enhances the natural smokiness of the Kraken Scorpion. For a smokier sauce, it’s an excellent double-down pairing.
- Carrots: Carrots provide natural sweetness and earthiness, which can help to temper the heat while enhancing the natural earthiness of the Kraken Scorpion.
- Pineapple or Mango: The tropical sweetness of pineapple or mango can create a delightful contrast to the spiciness and earthiness of the Kraken Scorpion pepper, adding a fruity dimension that enhances the overall flavor.
- Mustard: The tangy and slightly sharp flavor of mustard can stand up to the heat and add a unique depth to the sauce, making it more complex.
- Cilantro or Parsley: Fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley can introduce a fresh, herbal note that brightens the sauce and complements the pepper’s flavor without being overwhelmed by the heat.
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