Carolina Reaper Yellow: The World's Hottest Yellow Pepper

An Introduction to the Carolina Reaper Yellow

The Carolina Reaper is one of the world's hottest peppers, renowned for its scorching heat and unique fruity flavor. While the original Carolina Reaper is a bright red color, a yellow variant also exists called the Carolina Reaper Yellow. This just as blistering hot pepper has gained popularity among spice enthusiasts and is cultivated by pepper growers around the world.

Origins of the Carolina Reaper Yellow

The original red Carolina Reaper was bred by Ed Currie of PuckerButt Pepper Company in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Currie crossed a Pakistani Naga pepper with a Red Habanero to create a pepper that topped 1 million Scoville heat units, making it the world's hottest pepper according to Guinness World Records in 2013.

The yellow variant of the Carolina Reaper was also created by Ed Currie. He selectively bred the original red Carolina Reaper to isolate the yellow coloring genes to produce a yellow version of thepepper. The Carolina Reaper Yellow was introduced in 2017 and quickly earned a reputation for its searing heat.

Appearance and Flavor

The Carolina Reaper Yellow has a bright, vibrant yellow color that distinguishes it from the red original Reaper. The peppers have a wrinkled, bumpy texture and are shaped like a small pumpkin. They typically grow to about 2 inches long and 1 inch wide.

In terms of flavor, the yellow Reaper has a fruity, citrusy taste that is slightly different from the red. The yellow peppers taste of mango, pineapple, lemon, and apple. However, the most prominent flavor is the intense, blistering heat that is nearly unbearable for most people.

Heat Level

Like its red counterpart, the Carolina Reaper Yellow is one of the world's hottest peppers. It ranks between 1.2 million to 2.2 million Scoville heat units, compared to the red's 1.4 million to 2.2 million SHU. This staggering heat surpasses most other super hot peppers like the Ghost Pepper and Scorpion Pepper.

The source of the Carolina Reaper's extreme heat is its high concentration of capsaicinoids, mainly capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin. These natural chemical compounds activate pain receptors in the mouth, producing a searing, burning sensation. The yellow Reaper contains similar ultra-high amounts of these compounds.

Growing the Carolina Reaper Yellow

The Carolina Reaper Yellow can be grown outdoors or in greenhouses in most hot, humid climates. Ideal growing temperatures are 80-90°F during the day and above 65°F at night. The plants need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Carolina Reaper Yellow plants grow up to 5 feet tall and prefer rich, well-drained soil. Growers should amend the soil with compost or manure and keep it consistently moist. Fertilizer can be applied once blooming starts. The yellow Reaper matures in about 90-120 days after transplanting.

Since they originate from crossing two pepper species, Carolina Reaper Yellow plants are not very stable genetically. Growers often experience variation between plants with some reverting back to red Reaper phenotypes. True-to-type yellow Carolina Reaper seeds that will produce yellow fruit are obtained from proven yellow lines.

Culinary Uses

The Carolina Reaper Yellow's extreme heat makes it challenging to use in cooking. Even a small amount can set food ablaze. However, some chili heads enjoy using a tiny piece in soups, salsas, curry dishes, and anywhere an extra kick of heat is desired.

Due to the yellow Reaper's fruity flavor, it also works well in jams, jellies, and candies. The sweetness helps counterbalance the intense heat. It can also be powdered and used as a condiment spice. But even just a pinch packs anassertive punch of heat.

When working with Carolina Reaper Yellows, it's crucial to wear gloves and avoid touching your eyes. The capsaicin can cause significant burns. It's also wise to have milk or yogurt nearby to help soothe your mouth if the peppers become too hot to handle.

Growing and Breeding Carolina Reaper Yellow Plants

For chili pepper enthusiasts up for an ultra-hot challenge, growing and breeding Carolina Reaper Yellow plants can be an exciting endeavor. These insanely hot peppers demand respect and care to produce their best, meanest yellow fruit.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Carolina Reaper Yellow peppers need hot, humid conditions to thrive. Daytime temperatures between 80-90°F and nighttime lows above 65°F are ideal. They require at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day for best growth and fruit production.

Enrich soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Carolina Reapers prefer soil with a pH between 6-7. Keep soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and fruiting. Applying fertilizer when blooming commences helps maximize yields.

Overwintering

In zones 8 and above, Carolina Reaper Yellow plants can be overwintered to get an early start the next season. At the end of the growing season, cut watering back to harden off the plants. Before the first frost, dig up the plants and trim roots and foliage back by a third. Replant them in pots and keep indoors over winter in a sunny window.

Pollination for Seeds

Carolina Reaper Yellows are self-pollinating but produce more abundantly with help. Flower blossoms are delicate, so avoid overly disturbing the plant while pollinating. Gently shake flower clusters or use a soft paintbrush to transfer pollen between flowers daily.

Allow peppers to fully ripen to red or orange color before harvesting for seeds. Cut open the pods and remove and clean seeds. Let seeds dry fully before storing in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Selective Breeding

Breeding Carolina Reaper Yellows takes patience and selectivity. Carefully save seeds only from your healthiest, most vibrant yellow plants. Rogue out any red off-types or less vigorous yellow plants.

Isolate plants from other varieties to prevent cross-pollination. Cull early generations for desired traits like pod size, plant vigor, color, etc. Over several generations, consistent selection will isolate and stabilize the yellow coloring andCharacteristics.

Potential Challenges

Some challenges to growing Carolina Reaper Yellows include their genetic instability, soil requirements, susceptibility to blossom drop, and extreme heat level. Instability can lead to red off-types unless seeds are from proven yellow lines. Ideal soil conditions are also necessary to prevent blossom drop.

The yellow Reaper's staggering heat makes handling the peppers difficult. Be extremely cautious when working with these blistering hot peppers, wearing gloves and avoiding contact with eyes or nose. Have milk or yogurt nearby in case of accidental ingestion.

Using Carolina Reaper Yellow Peppers

The explosively hot Carolina Reaper Yellow demands caution and care when using in cooking. Its extreme heat makes it mostly suitable only for the most daring chili heads. But with prudence and moderation, its bright yellow coloring and fruity flavor can add excitement to recipes.

Food Safety

Take great care when handling Carolina Reaper Yellows raw to avoid skin or eye irritation. Always wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterward. Do not rub your eyes or face after handling. When cooking, properly ventilate your kitchen.

Only a miniscule amount is needed in food, and the heat can vary between individual peppers. Start with 1/8 of a pepper and slowly increase to your heat tolerance. Have plenty of dairy products ready to cool your mouth.

Salsas and Sauces

Add a pinch of minced Carolina Reaper Yellow to any salsa or hot sauce recipe for an extra kick. Its fruity notes complement tropical salsas and fruit-based hot sauces especially well. Mix just a tiny amount with red chili peppers, tomatoes, mango, pineapple, and cilantro for a yellow-orange colored salsa.

Jams and Jellies

The yellow Reaper's sweet, fruity heat makes it an excellent addition to jams and jellies. Mix a small amount into strawberry, peach, or mango jam recipes. Its tropical fruitiness enhances and complements the other fruits' flavors. Just 1-2 tsp will provide an incredible amount of heat.

Powders and Spice Blends

Drying and powdering Carolina Reaper Yellows is a safer way to utilize them in cooking. Use an electric coffee or spice grinder to grind dried yellow reapers into a fine powder. Incorporate just 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 tsp into dry rubs, chili seasoning mixes, or other spice blends for an extreme heat burst.

Searing Heat

When cooking with Carolina Reaper Yellows, their searing heat quickly dominates all other flavors. Extremes of both sweet and heat can numb taste buds and mask other notes. Use them extremely sparingly so their flavor doesn't overpower dishes.

The Carolina Reaper Yellow delivers blistering heat and brilliant color, but requires caution and care when cooking. Start with tiny amounts and add more gradually while having milk ready to tame the fire. Harness its heat judiciously to enliven salsas, sauces, jams, and spice mixes.

FAQs

How hot is the Carolina Reaper Yellow compared to other peppers?

The Carolina Reaper Yellow ranks between 1.2 - 2.2 million Scoville Heat Units, making it one of the world's hottest peppers. It is slightly less hot than the original red Carolina Reaper but hotter than most other superhots like the Ghost Pepper, Trinidad Scorpion, and Habanero.

What gives the Carolina Reaper Yellow its heat?

The Carolina Reaper Yellow contains very high concentrations of the chemical compounds capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin. These natural chemicals interact with pain receptors in the mouth to produce the sensation of heat and burning.

Can you use Carolina Reaper Yellows in cooking?

Yes, but their extreme heat makes them suitable only for very spicy food tolerances. Use no more than 1/8 pepper at a time. Their fruity flavor works well in salsas, hot sauces, jams, and spice blends when used sparingly.

What precautions should you take when handling Carolina Reaper Yellows?

Always wear gloves when handling Carolina Reaper Yellows raw. Avoid touching your eyes or face after exposure. When cooking, ventilate your kitchen well. Have dairy products on hand to help cool your mouth.

Are Carolina Reaper Yellow seeds stable?

No, the genetics of Carolina Reaper Yellows are unstable, so seeds can produce variation or revert back to red phenotypes. Purchase seeds only from reputable suppliers of proven yellow lines.