Chili growers compete with one another "ruthlessly" to create the world's hottest pepper.[1] According to Marc Fennell, creator of the podcast It Burns, the competition "is a hugely controversial war – there are scandals, accusations of cheating, death threats."[8] According to Maxim, the race has "ignited heated debate" among chiliheads (or chileheads) and raised "deep questions about science, ethics, and honor."[5][9] While competition takes place mainly among UK, Australian, and US growers, the competition in the US is noted for "negativity and fighting."[10]
