'Pepper X' Creator Ed Currie Answers Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED
'Pepper X' creator Ed Currie answers the internet's sizzling questions about peppers. Why do only mammals taste capsaicin? What kind of peppers are used in military grade pepper spray? What part of a pepper produces the most heat? This pepper master answers all these questions and more.
The photo of the HPLC system was created by Wikipedia user Kommando and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Director: Lisandro Perez-Rey
Director of Photography: Joanne Hock
Editor: Louville Moore
Expert: Ed Currie
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Paul Gulyas; Brandon White
Production Manager: D. Eric Martinez
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Casting Producer: Thomas Giglio
Camera Operator: John Disher
Sound Mixer: Marshall Bain
Production Assistant: Alex Buchhorn
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Additional Editor: Paul Tael
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds
Special Thanks: Heather Peters
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Love how he just tortured someone on screen while describing what's happening to them like a Saw victim
Yeah, if you didn't know he didn't eat it because it does it every day and it basically has no effect on him
@@paoloangella2507 She has a pretty high tolerance too. I've seen her eat some crazy amounts of super hots in contests before.
@@paoloangella2507 I've seen him eat a pepper X and oh he did react. Not as much as anybody else would have of course but even that one still hits him!
@@paoloangella2507exactly. For all we know, he actually did eat one off-camera. We would have no idea if he didn’t tell us. It’s kinda scary to see him eat one.
It’s not torture though.
You can tell this guy really enjoys what he does. Serious respect to this guy.
I've met him at the Pepper expo in Cincinnati
))
Came here to say exactly that. Nerds rule.
@@sachamm He used to be a heroin addict.
He actually used to grow weed and smoke all day but he stopped and peppers gave him a natural high so now he's the top pepper expert in the world
O.M.G when Bella came in and he said she was going to demonstrate I did not expect she was going to eat the entire reaper like a piece of candy! 😮😮😮 wow.
For real wtf was that lmao, she literally came on and basically did a triple backflip and left
She reacted like my ex ate a jalapeños cheese popper
And then he was like “I would never recommend anyone eat a whole one” lol
Thought she'd nibble on the thing. I can finish it in a few minutes no problem, but small chunks. It's not even the heat, when I do what she just did, I get painful hiccups for hours.
@@GoranZec well she did say that she was going to go lie down, and that she was feeling the start of cramps. So my guess is that this was a stunt she knew she was going to pay for, and did it for the show and knew the exact price she was going to pay. Kind of even more amazing in a way.
"Guys think they're dying, ..but they're just having a menstrual cramp"... LOL!
This guy answered everything in such perfect detail, even though he was peppered with questions.
I c what you did there. 😏
Deep understanding, eloquence and professionalism.
heh
He definitely handled the heat well
@@vindictivemage Guy eats habaneros like you and I a piece of cracker. Ed is not just a horticulturist legend, but a beast himself. He said the spiciest thing he ever tried was pure capsaicin that's used for calculating and measuring actual pepper fruits spiciness in a lab. Anyway, he said he put his pinky and rubbed the powder on his gums. He was in a fetal position for 30 minutes. 🤣
I love the idea that he just carries around his guinness record plaque and is ready to break it out at any moment
I mean, you have to pay Guinness to appear in their records...
I believe he was 'surprised' with the award on the Hot Ones youtube channel and regardless of whether it was scripted for the drama I think it's pretty clear how much it means to him. Honestly it's pushing the boundary of annoyingly egotistical, but I'd rather someone care a little bit too much about what they do than not enough. The man has an obsession that's had a real impact on the food world and not many people can say that.
He pays a yearly fee for it, of course he is going to.
I met a Thai woman in college and she invited me to a party. In the rice were little green peppers sliced very thin. They were the hottest peppers I’d ever eaten and I have been careful ever since because we’re still married.
Because we’re still married! Hahaha that’s a great story! 😂
Weak
Most likely bird's eye peppers, not even as hot as a habanero. The peppers discussed in this video are on a completely different level, if you struggled with that then a reaper would put you in the ER.
@@notforwantoftrying1 Yep they were bird's eyes most likely; I grow those myself. They have more of a numbing than searing heat, which is really pleasant. They also pair nicely with fruit in hot sauces.
Dude, I've loved really spicy food (and even drinks) my whole adult life. So much that I got a bit of a reputation for it. But.. I've been living with a Thai chick the last few years and quickly realised I had absolutely no idea what hot chillies were. She absolutely tortures me 😅
the fact that he has probably at least 2 or 3 more viable peppers in his warchest to beat his own record is terrifying and inspiring
Yeah, I agree. I get the feeling that the only reason he released Pepper X is because he already finished breeding Pepper Y and is working on Pepper Z.
@@Alorand He basically said that in the First we Feast special with Chili Klaus. He got bored that no one even came close to his Reaper so he just threw the X out there
Yet even when the "carolina reaper" record was paid for, there was loads of chillis already hotter
@@MrSBGames I'ma need proof for that one chief
@@xGxPhantomZzz what, the same proof as Ed publically releasing his lab testing results?
I wish someone would've asked why peppers look more bizzare the hotter they get. The reaper already looks realy strange, but this pepper X thingy is an absolute alien.
I'm guessing "commercial" peppers are also bred to look nice so people actually want to eat them, but these guys are graded only for heat. It's probably for the better that people don't look at it and say "that looks nice, can I take a bite".
@@Priscabc this is absolutely a part of it. a LOT of fruit and vegetable farmers breed specifically for flavour and appearance, and the produce is judged accordingly. more than 30% of all produce does not hit store shelves as it fails to meet a predetermined appearance standard. Would you buy a lemon that's round, a cabbage that isn't spherical, or a strawberry that isn't strawberry shaped? These "abberant" fruits and veg get tossed or used in animal feed, where the appearance doesn't matter.
they have a higher internal surface area for seeds to grow in, meaning a higher concentration of capsacin. also, there's no requirement to make them look good for selling
@@phoenixelysia Yes, yes and yes? As long as they are not rotten and is edible, I would buy. Then again, I am used to fresh produce and the abnormalities that can happen.
@@phoenixelysiaThat's actually true, at least for me. Like the local grocery store always has some big lumpy misshapen strawberries when they sell the little plastic tubs of them in the summer and I just can't buy one where the strawberries look like that they skive me out for some reason lol
One of the best videos in this series. I could listen to this guy talk about peppers all day
Fascinating video. I was thinking "that's random, bringing in a pepper expert" but I really enjoyed it. He answered the questions really well and clear, and even answered a long-standing question I've had (about how exactly the Scoville scale measures the hotness of peppers).
He's not just a pepper expert, he created the two hottest peppers being the Carolina Reaper and Pepper X
@@kadentam2946 Yeah, he's not just A pepper expert, he's THE pepper expert!
All the WIRED Support people are always so informative and congenial. Such a pleasure to watch!
This is one of my favorite series on KZhead, I just love how all of these experts look and speak exactly how you would expect them to and I mean that in the most flattering way possible. They’re all so charismatic and articulate and I love learning new things this way!
I could listen to this guy teach me about anything. He answers so clearly and throughly. Very enjoyable guest here!
pepper expert called currie, this job was his destiny
There's a company called something like Food for the People or something... CEO is Robin Mafood
Love smokin ed, he’s just out there killing it. Keep doing that sweet pepper science my dude
I love listening to Ed talk about peppers. I grew my first jalapenos last year and Carolina reapers this year and it's such a rewarding experience.
I love these wired interviews they always find really interesting people who are passionate about their craft and very knowledgeable
This was SO fascinating! Love this guy! BTW I lmao at "Guys think they're dying but really it's akin to menstrual cramps." Thanks for that! Haha
MASSIVE PROPS to Wired for still calling it Twitter.
durr
I got so nervous watching him cut that orange pepper!!!!
Great, in-depth responses!
Some people just talk and you instantly grasp how intelligent they are. This guy is one of them, and he's very intelligent.
That was great - very informative! 👍👍
i love this guy. I have learned so much watching him! gonna grow some peppers come spring
Wooweee Thank You For having this Guy do his Talk!
She took that pepper like a champ, huh? 🤯
it's not her first rodeo, she eats a ton of crazy hot peppers on her channel
This was amazingly well done.
Smokin Ed is the man!!! I love watching him explain and elaborate on all things pepper.
Chemical engineer here. So milk DOES help reducing the burning and the feeling because milk contains a molecule called casein that when in contact with capsaicin it sorrounds it and enclosed it in a complex molecule deactivating its burning function, it works kinda like the soap washes away grease. Sorry, english is not my first language.
Wow, I was not expecting to learn this much. Thanks, Ed!
Love you Ed Currie you are a genius..Congrats on the world record
Regarding the mammal/bird thing. It's an old trick to get squirrels to leave bird feeders alone. Mix the bird seeds with chili.
I can’t imagine how awful it would be to accidentally bite into a pepper as a different kind of mammal, they get absolutely no warning 😭
but why do birds eat my tomatoes but not my reapers and ghost peppers?
@@amoxl114 Don't know. Ask them next time 😉
Loved him on Hot Ones, too.
I read this as pRepper and thought it was going to be a while different q&a but I'm so glad I watched it. I have a new found love for peppers!
Heck yeah, Ed is cool.
What a happy dude.
i really learned a lot in this one!
great vid, i learned alot😀
That was great Very informative I am very low down on the pepper journey so that was good👍
What i love and respect is that you can tell this man is peppers he is truly a expert of the true natural form
I get that floating feeling just off habaneros. A bidet does wonders for the burning ring of fire though.
I think Habaneros are the threshold pepper for a lot of people. You can either handle the heat of one and therefore can go on to hotter peppers or you can't tolerate the sting at all then habs are where you stop.
Yesss, habaneros are my threshold for me. Ive definitely had some habaneros hotter than others as well. Oddly enough i feel like ive had half a habanero, thats been hotter than a quarter of a scorpion / chocolate 7 pot. Why, no idea..
It's partly because it is a different sub-species of pepper. All of the milder peppers (bell peppers, jalapenos, serranos, birds eye chillis etc.) are botanically considered capsicum annuum. Habanero and all other super-hots are a different sub-species called capsicum chinense and have a unique flavor (often referred to as "chinense flavor") and MUCH higher scoville rating.
This is true for me. And even with an habanero, I cannot use an entire pepper, not even a small one, in a meal. In fact, much less than that. Maybe something less than half the size of my pinky finger covered by the fingernail. A very small amount. More than that I can tolerate, but it doesn't make the food taste better.
13:10 ‘guys think they’re dying but they’re not dying they’re just having a menstrual cramp and they don’t know what it feels like’ bars
multiple female chili heads who have kids, compare bad cap cramps, to child birth. Id assume then, menstrual cramps arent even in the realm.
this guy is so chill i love him
he's so chilli
@@smievil well played
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Milk contains a protein called casein, which can break down capsaicin - much in the same way that dish soap can cut through grease.
Also, the fat in milk as well as the fat and many other things will coat your tongue and thereby slow down the absorption of the spicy molecule and decrease the sensation of heat.
I had a ghost pepper straight off the plant this year, and what a rush!
This guy is a hero.
Truly amazing. Thank you
When nobody comes close to breaking your record in 10 years and you just go *sigh* “I’ll do it myself”. Legend.
Multiple peppers broke his record and were way hotter, even tested higher. They just didnt have the money to pay Guinness.
They did Ed dirty not taking the tag off his shirt.
This was so interesting!
I Just LOVE chilli and youre persona!
Great job! Thank you very much! Is there anything you can eat or drink that works after you ate the hot pepper that would reduce some of the pain you are feeling?
i'm literally watching this eating 2 chopped ghost peppers with my humus and veggie chips lol would love to try that pepper x
You don’t
13:19 was so funny i love this guy 😭😭
the way he’s so excited about the new record😂😂😂
This guy awesome
Hi Ed, when will Pepper X arrive in Brazil?
12:00 I have felt that high and was surprised the first time.
He did a interview with wired or some other channel. He said he got his start in botany, trying to cross breed pot. I found it funny that he got his start that way.
yo, it's the legendary Smokin Ed Currie! Didn't expect him to be featured on this channel.
So well done
Man... Ed is on 🔥
I need the name of that mustard with reaper and wasabi. Cannot find it on PB website. Found a mustard with reaper but no mention of wasabi. S ounds delicious!
"Black pepper is a spice, not a pepper!" good to know :)
I am a huge fan and I have a question. Are you ever going to start selling seeds for Pepper X? I have been growing Reapers for a while and I would love to try to grow pepper X. I realise that it might be a while as it's a trade secret but I'd really like to try them.
My dude carries a Civivi knife. Respect.
Declaring peppers won't hurt you is mighty bold. Might not hurt then, but they're going to hurt later and directly tied to said peppers
He's a farmer NOT a scientist or a doctor. He REALLY shouldn't be talking about the medical aspects of peppers.
@@delpullen1982 Him and his company have done extensive testing and researching on peppers over the years. He's THE guy in the industry, you don't have to be a doctor to have researched a subject enough to have simple answers to questions like they were asking.
@@delpullen1982 What kind of farmer doesn't know the composition of their products and the effects they have on the body? It's common sense
@@MW_Asura This most certainly is not common sense. Whether you're a farmer, chemist, or physician, knowing about the chemical composition of crops and foods has to be learned. It is therefore not common sense.
Avocado 🥑 always stops the burn for me I think the Avocado oil counteracts the Capsules
Inspiring ❤
Ed Currie is a true gem of a human being. I wish I could give him a big hug.
11:18 is a new sentence
Have to get my hands on that X pepper 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Ed didn't mention it here but in other videos he's talked about how peppers have shown to be able to kill cancer cells. So that is one of his driving factors to keep producing super hot peppers.
I would like to hear more about the Apollo pepper, heat,taste and is it even real
That was so interesting - I feel all edumacated!
love Smokin Ed!
I love this guy
5:30 thought he was going to say, "Well Alex, those two plants need to love each other very much..."
I love this guy. Not sure why. But I do.
One time my dad pureed a pound of habaneros and put it in a jar and put it in the fridge. Hed put a tablespoon in his food when he got the flu. It would grow mold in the fridge, but over time the mold would die and you'd take it off the top and it was fresh again. It was slightly fermented but still very much edible
the spice being in the membrane is MIND BLOWING will be removing the white parts for sure now
Will be ensuring I *add* the white parts :)
Is there a Scoville level where it would reach dangerous levels for human consumption (beyond pain)? How hot can he handle comfortably? Not a question, but I remember having a whole Carolina reaper (fresh) and it was scary spicy. I like spice, but this felt like I was burning
Real question. If only mammals have that capsaicin receptor, can birds and amphibious animals experience spice?? I need to know! 0:21
Wow! Hadn’t seen much of Dave since Insomniac. Glad to see he’s following his passion!
I want to know how Ed tackles the toilet issues after eating all those peppers😂
I have eaten some really hot and spicy foods and peppers and I've never had any kind of toilet issues afterwards. Feel like I must be some kind of alien because everybody always jokes about having bathroom issues after eating spicy stuff and knock on wood, hasn't happened to me yet
You get used to it, also, if he’s been eating them as a child it’s more likely he doesn’t have those issues. Childhood development affects a lot.
Put some wet wipes in the fridge the day before!
@@SavaFiend i don't tend to go further than what i'm comfortable with, but i never really had stomach issues i'd associate with chilies
For years you've told/shown us the Pepper X was a mustard pod, but nearly all Pepper X sauces are red. Why is that?
Why is it that hot ones xperience pepper x sauce containing 91 percent pepper x and advertises as being 2.6 shu when independent lab test show below 65000 shu....
Spice Lords check in! We love you Uncle Ed. 🔥
This dude is my hero
I found the eating cookies before hot stuff takes the heat away and it works perfectly
I'll believe it when i can actually try one. I tried the new hot ones sauce that's supposed too be 93% pepper x and it's not that hot.
Perhaps this fellow could tell me why even though I've been eating hot peppers for years I abruptly can't eat anything even mildly spicy without terrible cramps
He did. 13:03.
I'd just like to correct the massive blunder at 10:08. Black pepper, like the red pepper is a pepper. Bell peppers, jalapenos, chilis, habaneros, are specifically not peppers, but paprikas.
I don't like the taste of vinegar in hot sauces. So I always watch-out for it.
Any estimates on what Scoville Pepper Y will be?
I want some of your favorite dishes with peppers.
Love that they brought in Bella
Tim Blake Nelson could play this guy in the movie.