Frank Garcia of GNS Spices, in Walnut, California, is credited with being the developer of the Red Savina habanero, however the exact method Garcia used to select the hottest strains is not publicly known.
Samples of Red Savina have been measured as high as 577,000 Scoville units, however many chilli enthusiasts growing the Red Savina have been unable to reach this level of heat, even with certified Red Savina seed. The Chilli Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University conducted an extensive field trial to test the Red Savina. In this scientific growth trial the Red Savina was unable to reach 250,000 scoville units. Despite this, the Red Savina chilli pepper held the world record until February 2007 when it was ousted by the Naga Jolokia pepper. The Dorset Naga chilli is actually recognised as the hottest pepper but this is unofficial and doesnt yet appear in the Guinness World Records.
Although still widely used, we do not currently include Red Savina in our recipes as we prefer to use the Dorset Naga chilli.
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