Many people distinguish themselves in the worlds of sports, entertainment, writing and other endeavors. Ed Currie of Fort Mill has distinguished himself in a much hotter manner: he holds the Guinness world record for the hottest pepper on earth, his self-developed Carolina Reaper. He grows many varieties of peppers for the food industry, but it’s the Reaper that makes some hot-sauce aficionados rethink how tough they are. In addition to setting people’s insides on fire, however, Currie says the pepper has other uses in the paint, medical and defense industries.
Fort Mill Man Grows the World’s Hottest Pepper
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The world's hottest pepper- the Carolina Reaper, grown in Fort Mill.
Tut Underwood/ SC Public Radio
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Fort Mill farmer Ed Currie examines a bin of his famous super hot peppers.
Tut Underwood/SC Public Radio
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This poster adorns the wall of Ed Currie's store in Fort Mill, where he sells the world's hottest pepper, the Carolina Reaper, and sauces made from it.
Tut Underwood/SC Public Radio
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Crates of Carolina Reapers in cold storage in Fort Mill.
Tut Underwood/SC Public Radio
