Thanks to Melissa Valliant and Hella Wella for the great pepper images. Everybody should know what they’re getting themselves into before playing with fire.With this list you can decide for yourself just how much heat you want to play with. I’d say don’t try this at home, but there’s no better place for it. Especially if you’ve invited friends over to play. Always good to have someone who can drive or call a paramedic.

For a long time, everyone thought the ghost pepper topped the list of crazy-spicy, feels-like-your-tongue-will-never-taste-anything-ever-again hot peppers. The truth: It’s only No. 4 (but still packs A LOT of heat).

Based on test results from New Mexico University’s Chile Pepper Institute, here’s a list of the top 10 spiciest peppers in the world, ranked by the Scoville heat units of each. Try at your own risk.

 

Top 10 hottest chili peppers