1 00:00:01,043 --> 00:00:04,798 ♪ ominous music playing ♪ 2 00:00:04,798 --> 00:00:05,924 NARRATOR: Full disclosure: 3 00:00:05,924 --> 00:00:08,843 We cannot afford to license footage 4 00:00:08,843 --> 00:00:10,345 from Game of Thrones. 5 00:00:10,345 --> 00:00:13,932 Even me doing this narration is taking us over budget. 6 00:00:13,932 --> 00:00:16,101 But, if we could, 7 00:00:16,101 --> 00:00:18,603 this is where we'd have Jon Snow 8 00:00:18,603 --> 00:00:21,314 look right into the lens and say, 9 00:00:21,314 --> 00:00:23,066 "Winter is coming." 10 00:00:23,066 --> 00:00:24,442 ♪ dramatic sting ♪ 11 00:00:25,277 --> 00:00:27,737 ♪ intriguing music playing ♪ 12 00:00:27,737 --> 00:00:31,116 AUREA DE GUZMAN: When the leaves start turning here in Chicago, 13 00:00:31,116 --> 00:00:33,910 that's usually my first warning sign that 14 00:00:33,910 --> 00:00:37,747 I need to wrap things up in the garden outdoors. 15 00:00:41,543 --> 00:00:44,629 JIMMY PICKLES: When the frost starts showing up here, 16 00:00:44,629 --> 00:00:48,091 everything starts switching in more panic mode. 17 00:00:48,091 --> 00:00:49,968 Probably by mid-November, 18 00:00:49,968 --> 00:00:51,970 all the plants are scrapped. 19 00:00:52,846 --> 00:00:55,056 When that cold front comes down, 20 00:00:55,056 --> 00:00:57,225 it's a scrambling event for growers 21 00:00:57,225 --> 00:00:58,977 because the next day, 22 00:00:58,977 --> 00:01:01,897 your plants are gonna be dead, 23 00:01:01,897 --> 00:01:04,858 and your pods are gonna be mush. 24 00:01:04,858 --> 00:01:07,402 If I don't have 'em, 25 00:01:07,402 --> 00:01:09,988 I can't make my products, 26 00:01:09,988 --> 00:01:12,240 and then, financially, 27 00:01:13,158 --> 00:01:15,368 you gonna have to get a job. 28 00:01:15,827 --> 00:01:18,038 And then, I'm gonna be forgotten. [laughs] 29 00:01:18,038 --> 00:01:21,041 ♪ dramatic theme song playing ♪ 30 00:01:23,585 --> 00:01:25,086 [fire crackling] 31 00:01:35,722 --> 00:01:37,724 ♪ curious music playing ♪ 32 00:01:37,724 --> 00:01:39,517 NARRATOR: Winter is inevitable. 33 00:01:39,517 --> 00:01:43,188 Something every pepper grower anticipates and plans for. 34 00:01:43,188 --> 00:01:46,733 But, last night, a cold front barreled through Louisiana 35 00:01:46,733 --> 00:01:48,944 weeks earlier than expected, 36 00:01:48,944 --> 00:01:52,906 a curve ball that could seriously hurt Troy Primeaux. 37 00:01:52,906 --> 00:01:54,908 ♪ dramatic sting ♪ 38 00:01:57,202 --> 00:01:59,996 So, we're going over to my buddy Gary Montcom's place 39 00:01:59,996 --> 00:02:01,414 in Shreveport, Louisiana, 40 00:02:01,414 --> 00:02:04,167 check on the 7 Pot Primo grove. 41 00:02:04,918 --> 00:02:08,171 Uh, we had a unseasonable cold spell come through, 42 00:02:08,171 --> 00:02:12,384 and I suspect there's some tragic plant damage to our crop. 43 00:02:13,843 --> 00:02:15,637 If that happened, 44 00:02:15,637 --> 00:02:19,015 we're not gonna be able to sell 7 Pot Primo seeds, 45 00:02:19,015 --> 00:02:22,310 and, uh, we have thousands of dollars 46 00:02:22,978 --> 00:02:24,729 that'll be ruined, wasted, burnt. 47 00:02:25,355 --> 00:02:28,108 NARRATOR: Troy has hundreds of 7 Pot Primo plants 48 00:02:28,108 --> 00:02:30,860 on Gary Montcom's land near Shreveport. 49 00:02:30,860 --> 00:02:33,613 And if they died after the freeze, 50 00:02:34,322 --> 00:02:37,826 it would be a monumental disaster. 51 00:02:37,826 --> 00:02:41,663 Nearly $40,000 of product gone. 52 00:02:41,663 --> 00:02:44,749 TROY PRIMEAUX: I wanna leave a legacy, you know? 53 00:02:44,749 --> 00:02:48,044 But, we gotta have some stability. And now that we have a child, 54 00:02:48,044 --> 00:02:49,671 it's even more important. 55 00:02:50,964 --> 00:02:54,467 A cold front with a freeze that goes below 32 degrees? 56 00:02:55,635 --> 00:02:58,430 No bueno. Everything's gone. 57 00:02:58,430 --> 00:03:00,682 That's, that's the end of your growth season. 58 00:03:00,682 --> 00:03:03,685 And, uh, just start over next year. 59 00:03:04,603 --> 00:03:06,479 Like football, you know? 60 00:03:06,479 --> 00:03:10,442 You had your chance for the Super Bowl and missed your mark. 61 00:03:10,442 --> 00:03:12,110 NARRATOR: This harvest season, 62 00:03:12,110 --> 00:03:15,739 Troy's attempted to increase his yield by growing all over the country 63 00:03:15,739 --> 00:03:18,617 on land belonging to allied growers 64 00:03:18,617 --> 00:03:20,577 dubbed the Wrecking Crew. 65 00:03:20,577 --> 00:03:22,662 If the crop in Shreveport is spoiled, 66 00:03:22,662 --> 00:03:25,332 that plan would be laid to waste. 67 00:03:25,332 --> 00:03:27,083 [fire crackling] 68 00:03:27,626 --> 00:03:31,588 So something that we've never tried before 69 00:03:31,588 --> 00:03:35,467 is to spray down the plants, uh, with water, 70 00:03:35,467 --> 00:03:37,219 spray 'em down with water. 71 00:03:40,180 --> 00:03:41,514 Seems backwards, huh? 72 00:03:41,514 --> 00:03:44,309 So, so, when you spray your-your-- these plants, 73 00:03:44,309 --> 00:03:47,270 you're hoping it takes more energy 74 00:03:47,270 --> 00:03:50,607 to freeze that water before it gets to the plant. 75 00:03:50,607 --> 00:03:52,567 To me, it was like flip a coin. 76 00:03:52,567 --> 00:03:54,861 'Cause it's Mother Nature. You can't freakin'-- 77 00:03:54,861 --> 00:03:57,572 You can try to do what you-- what you will and, 78 00:03:59,074 --> 00:04:02,827 you know, and-- but she's always gonna be the one in charge, you know? 79 00:04:07,582 --> 00:04:10,293 I'll be able to look at the plants and know for sure. 80 00:04:10,752 --> 00:04:13,463 Um, if the plants are necrotic, 81 00:04:13,463 --> 00:04:15,298 they look like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree, 82 00:04:15,298 --> 00:04:17,050 you know, you'll know right away. 83 00:04:17,050 --> 00:04:19,094 But, we'll see. 84 00:04:19,094 --> 00:04:21,263 ♪ dramatic crescendo ♪ 85 00:04:22,597 --> 00:04:26,309 NARRATOR: Troy's got a few hours' drive before he'll know where he stands. 86 00:04:26,309 --> 00:04:28,103 But, farther north in Chicago, 87 00:04:29,396 --> 00:04:31,273 things are a bit more cut and dry. 88 00:04:31,273 --> 00:04:34,985 You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know it's gonna be cold. 89 00:04:34,985 --> 00:04:38,113 ♪ dramatic music playing ♪ 90 00:04:38,113 --> 00:04:39,281 AUREA: Thank you. 91 00:04:39,281 --> 00:04:41,241 NARRATOR: And after living here for years, 92 00:04:41,241 --> 00:04:44,286 Aurea de Guzman, aka The Chilipino, 93 00:04:44,286 --> 00:04:46,663 has made peace with the cold on its way. 94 00:04:46,663 --> 00:04:48,498 [snipping] - Thank you. 95 00:04:50,333 --> 00:04:51,376 Thank you. 96 00:04:56,256 --> 00:04:58,133 Oh... [laughs] 97 00:04:58,133 --> 00:05:00,385 I'm saying thank you to the plants. 98 00:05:00,385 --> 00:05:02,971 I just wanna say thank you for their sacrifice 99 00:05:02,971 --> 00:05:06,057 'cause they won't be able to go inside. [laughs] 100 00:05:06,057 --> 00:05:09,686 So, I don't, I don't want 'em to feel bad that I'm getting rid of them. 101 00:05:10,186 --> 00:05:12,731 They're gonna be in my camera roll. 102 00:05:12,731 --> 00:05:14,900 I took tons of pictures. 103 00:05:14,900 --> 00:05:17,110 So, when I start feeling 104 00:05:17,110 --> 00:05:19,487 like it's, it's sweater weather, 105 00:05:19,487 --> 00:05:23,533 I-I get a little bit, um, a bit sad 106 00:05:23,533 --> 00:05:25,994 that I have to part ways with some of the plants 107 00:05:25,994 --> 00:05:28,955 that have produced so much of the food 108 00:05:28,955 --> 00:05:31,333 that nourished my family. 109 00:05:31,333 --> 00:05:34,377 Oh, look at this-- lengths of this chard. 110 00:05:34,377 --> 00:05:37,672 You're sort of parting ways with-with your children, right? 111 00:05:37,672 --> 00:05:39,090 ♪ 112 00:05:39,090 --> 00:05:41,843 This process is called overwintering, 113 00:05:41,843 --> 00:05:45,972 uh, which means I'm going to bring the peppers inside, 114 00:05:45,972 --> 00:05:49,684 keep them dormant. Don't-- I'm-I'm not gonna let them fruit. 115 00:05:49,684 --> 00:05:51,645 I'm barely gonna keep them alive, 116 00:05:51,645 --> 00:05:54,189 and so they have a head start next spring. 117 00:05:54,189 --> 00:05:56,733 I make sure I wash off all the old soil 118 00:05:56,733 --> 00:06:00,237 just to make sure that no hitchhikers 119 00:06:00,237 --> 00:06:01,655 join the party indoors. 120 00:06:02,072 --> 00:06:03,949 NARRATOR: While Aurea grows most of her chilies 121 00:06:03,949 --> 00:06:06,910 inside her underground hydroponic pepper lair, 122 00:06:06,910 --> 00:06:09,496 she's begun growing outside as well, 123 00:06:09,496 --> 00:06:13,458 as she's expanded her operation to launch a new hot sauce. 124 00:06:14,376 --> 00:06:17,837 Now, she's working to keep the momentum on her side... 125 00:06:17,837 --> 00:06:20,757 [gasp] Hi, Chewie! [dog paws tapping] 126 00:06:20,757 --> 00:06:24,469 NARRATOR: ...as she rides out the Chicago winter indoors. 127 00:06:24,469 --> 00:06:26,513 AUREA: Hi, Bubba. Come on. 128 00:06:26,513 --> 00:06:27,931 ♪ 129 00:06:27,931 --> 00:06:31,810 [distant siren wails] 130 00:06:31,810 --> 00:06:33,728 [thunder cracks] NARRATOR: As the weather cools, 131 00:06:33,728 --> 00:06:37,107 chilihead life takes on a new sense of urgency. 132 00:06:37,107 --> 00:06:38,400 For Johnny Scoville, 133 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:41,361 the cold means that time is running out 134 00:06:41,361 --> 00:06:43,280 to find the hottest pepper on Earth. 135 00:06:43,613 --> 00:06:46,449 Get ready to do some fun stuff down here in Jacksonville. 136 00:06:46,449 --> 00:06:49,369 Can't tell you about it. You might see it. You know how that goes. 137 00:06:49,369 --> 00:06:53,123 I'm Johnny Scoville, and this is Chase the Heat. 138 00:06:53,123 --> 00:06:55,125 ♪ dramatic sting ♪ 139 00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:00,547 This is the one I just ate, Reaper cross with a Peach Bhut. 140 00:07:00,922 --> 00:07:03,425 So, have pods, will travel. 141 00:07:03,425 --> 00:07:04,801 That's how we do it, people. 142 00:07:04,801 --> 00:07:05,802 NARRATOR: This time of year, 143 00:07:05,802 --> 00:07:08,555 Florida is about the only place left 144 00:07:08,555 --> 00:07:11,975 where the weather's warm enough for fresh pods to grow. 145 00:07:11,975 --> 00:07:15,186 So, Johnny's rushed here to use all the time he's got 146 00:07:15,186 --> 00:07:18,189 before winter brings his quest to an end. 147 00:07:18,189 --> 00:07:20,108 JOHNNY SCOVILLE: Here's the thing, it happens every year. 148 00:07:20,108 --> 00:07:21,860 One day I wake up, I'm like, "But, 149 00:07:23,653 --> 00:07:25,780 where are the peppers?" And they're gone. 150 00:07:25,780 --> 00:07:27,407 And I mean, they're gone. 151 00:07:27,407 --> 00:07:29,409 And then, you're not gonna have any more until the new year. 152 00:07:29,409 --> 00:07:31,786 [sniffing] You smell that? 153 00:07:31,786 --> 00:07:34,539 Peppers. I can smell them. They're in the area. 154 00:07:34,539 --> 00:07:36,583 ♪ adventurous music playing ♪ 155 00:07:36,583 --> 00:07:39,169 You know, but initially, like when I first started 156 00:07:39,169 --> 00:07:41,755 and I really got into it and started, you know, 157 00:07:41,755 --> 00:07:44,299 really seeking peppers out when things got cold, 158 00:07:45,300 --> 00:07:46,968 you know, I'm sure people kinda looked at me like, 159 00:07:46,968 --> 00:07:48,553 "What is this guy's problem?" But, 160 00:07:48,553 --> 00:07:50,680 at this point, people understand, and they get it. 161 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:52,974 Like my mom, I spoke to her before I split, 162 00:07:52,974 --> 00:07:55,352 she's like, "What are you doing?" I said, "I'm going to Jacksonville." 163 00:07:55,352 --> 00:07:56,895 She was like, "what? What's in Jacksonville?" 164 00:07:56,895 --> 00:07:58,939 "Peppers." She gets it. 165 00:07:59,856 --> 00:08:01,149 NARRATOR: So far this season, 166 00:08:01,149 --> 00:08:03,318 Johnny's discovered a pantheon of contenders 167 00:08:03,318 --> 00:08:04,819 for the world's hottest pepper. 168 00:08:05,153 --> 00:08:07,864 From Bobby McFadden's Orange Gusher, 169 00:08:07,864 --> 00:08:10,158 to Troy Primeaux's 7 Pot, 170 00:08:10,617 --> 00:08:12,661 Jimmy Pickles' JP Piranha, 171 00:08:13,119 --> 00:08:15,705 to Gary Montcalm's Nova Brain, 172 00:08:16,331 --> 00:08:19,668 and Drew Goldy's Accidental Cross. 173 00:08:20,877 --> 00:08:24,839 Here in Florida, he's hoping there's still one special pepper 174 00:08:24,839 --> 00:08:29,094 waiting to be found among the only pods left in North America. 175 00:08:29,094 --> 00:08:31,930 If I had the funds, I'd be on a plane every weekend 176 00:08:31,930 --> 00:08:34,766 going somewhere where there was peppers. I don't care where it was. 177 00:08:34,766 --> 00:08:38,103 NARRATOR: The first stop on Johnny's Sunshine State tour 178 00:08:38,103 --> 00:08:41,273 is a little-known grower named Linda McNew. 179 00:08:42,107 --> 00:08:44,609 JOHNNY: Alright, man. We're gettin' close. I can feel it. 180 00:08:44,609 --> 00:08:46,194 ♪ 181 00:08:46,194 --> 00:08:48,154 Linda McNew knows me, we've met before. 182 00:08:48,154 --> 00:08:51,199 I know that she doesn't eat the pod she grows. 183 00:08:51,199 --> 00:08:53,577 So, how amazing would it be to have her say, 184 00:08:53,577 --> 00:08:55,870 "I don't know what this is, Johnny, can you just taste this one?" 185 00:08:55,870 --> 00:08:58,123 And have it be something so ridiculously hot 186 00:08:58,123 --> 00:09:00,000 that it's obviously the hottest right away? 187 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,334 That would be the coolest. 188 00:09:01,334 --> 00:09:03,920 ♪ 189 00:09:07,465 --> 00:09:10,552 ♪ wary music playing ♪ 190 00:09:10,552 --> 00:09:13,680 NARRATOR: With the temperatures dropping, many in the pepper world are scrambling 191 00:09:13,680 --> 00:09:16,391 to make the most of the time they have left. 192 00:09:16,391 --> 00:09:18,310 But, on the outskirts of Dallas, 193 00:09:18,310 --> 00:09:21,104 our old friend Zach Goot is already feeling 194 00:09:21,104 --> 00:09:25,066 the deep freeze of a life without peppers. 195 00:09:25,066 --> 00:09:28,612 We're gonna do some watering 'cause they do need to be watered. 196 00:09:28,612 --> 00:09:29,821 ♪ 197 00:09:29,821 --> 00:09:32,365 NARRATOR: Ever since he retired from the online community 198 00:09:32,365 --> 00:09:34,951 to find balance with his wife and family, 199 00:09:34,951 --> 00:09:37,120 Zach has all but vanished from the chili world. 200 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:38,496 [Zach sighs] 201 00:09:38,496 --> 00:09:41,166 ZACH GOOT: Everything's looking good. You guys are looking strong. 202 00:09:41,166 --> 00:09:43,793 You, too, back there. [dripping] 203 00:09:43,793 --> 00:09:46,796 NARRATOR: And the absence of heat has taken its toll. 204 00:09:47,756 --> 00:09:49,841 Alright. [sighs] 205 00:09:49,841 --> 00:09:52,260 Right now, The Texas Hot Spot, 206 00:09:52,260 --> 00:09:54,638 the-the spicy, the chili, 207 00:09:55,430 --> 00:09:57,599 it's-it's a big book, but we've closed it. 208 00:09:58,600 --> 00:09:59,726 Hello, everybody! 209 00:09:59,726 --> 00:10:02,979 Welcome to The Texas Hot Spot: Family Edition! 210 00:10:02,979 --> 00:10:04,189 Two and a half years of my life, 211 00:10:04,189 --> 00:10:06,358 you could just come there and watch me do stuff, 212 00:10:06,358 --> 00:10:09,027 and now you, now you won't be able to for a while. 213 00:10:09,027 --> 00:10:11,613 I left every single spicy Facebook page, 214 00:10:11,613 --> 00:10:14,115 I left all spicy YouTubes. [static sizzles] 215 00:10:14,950 --> 00:10:18,912 My phone would go off every three and a half minutes 216 00:10:18,912 --> 00:10:21,456 about someone going live and eatin' somethin' spicy, 217 00:10:21,456 --> 00:10:22,999 and I would jump up, 218 00:10:22,999 --> 00:10:24,793 and I would run into my studio, 219 00:10:24,793 --> 00:10:27,587 put that video on, leave my wife on the couch, 220 00:10:27,587 --> 00:10:29,589 and watch somebody eat somethin' spicy. 221 00:10:29,589 --> 00:10:32,384 Because that's what we did in the chili community. 222 00:10:33,134 --> 00:10:34,803 My phone has been silent. 223 00:10:34,803 --> 00:10:36,638 ♪ indistinct humming ♪ 224 00:10:38,390 --> 00:10:40,809 ♪ indistinct humming ♪ 225 00:10:40,809 --> 00:10:42,227 I'm already reaping the benefits 226 00:10:42,227 --> 00:10:45,230 of prioritizing my responsibilities right, so... 227 00:10:45,814 --> 00:10:48,608 I got to spend time with my wife all night last night. 228 00:10:49,484 --> 00:10:52,153 We watched a few movies, we ate dinner together, 229 00:10:52,153 --> 00:10:53,321 and there was no interruptions. 230 00:10:53,321 --> 00:10:56,074 And my wife was grinning ear to ear, 231 00:10:57,033 --> 00:11:00,412 and I'll take that over eating a pepper any day. 232 00:11:00,412 --> 00:11:02,122 ♪ pensive music playing ♪ 233 00:11:02,122 --> 00:11:03,832 I mean, it's just kinda-- Yeah, it's sad, man. 234 00:11:03,832 --> 00:11:07,794 I-I spent a lot of time and effort on gettin' where I'm at now. 235 00:11:09,004 --> 00:11:12,966 I'm very excited to be starting this new chapter of my life 236 00:11:14,217 --> 00:11:16,011 with my family and-- 237 00:11:17,679 --> 00:11:19,556 You know, and even the two and a half years 238 00:11:19,556 --> 00:11:21,558 that I've lived through this pepper 239 00:11:23,018 --> 00:11:25,020 community is just-- 240 00:11:26,646 --> 00:11:29,941 will always live on in me, and that's what makes me happy, 241 00:11:29,941 --> 00:11:31,359 and holding onto it. 242 00:11:31,902 --> 00:11:34,029 NARRATOR: For those who are addicted to chili, 243 00:11:34,029 --> 00:11:36,990 or anything else for that matter, quiet time like this 244 00:11:36,990 --> 00:11:40,160 often feels like the calm before the storm. 245 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:43,663 Zach is doing all he can to maintain that calm... 246 00:11:43,663 --> 00:11:45,081 Hi, baby girl. 247 00:11:45,081 --> 00:11:46,917 NARRATOR: ...and avoid the storm. 248 00:11:46,917 --> 00:11:48,960 - Kiss. - [mumbles] I love you! 249 00:11:48,960 --> 00:11:50,795 [loud kiss] 250 00:11:50,795 --> 00:11:53,757 NARRATOR: While Zach does all he can to fight the lure of heat, 251 00:11:53,757 --> 00:11:55,008 ♪ 252 00:11:55,008 --> 00:11:57,844 Johnny Scoville is frantically chasing it down. 253 00:11:58,511 --> 00:12:00,263 Uh-oh, look at this. 254 00:12:00,263 --> 00:12:03,058 NARRATOR: Cheating winter by migrating south, 255 00:12:03,058 --> 00:12:05,560 like a bird with a braided beard, 256 00:12:05,560 --> 00:12:08,021 to visit growers like Linda McNew, 257 00:12:08,021 --> 00:12:10,899 who might just have the next superhot contender. 258 00:12:10,899 --> 00:12:11,900 [knocking] 259 00:12:14,527 --> 00:12:16,571 - I heard you got peppers. - I do. 260 00:12:16,571 --> 00:12:18,156 [laughs] - Linda! 261 00:12:18,156 --> 00:12:20,116 LINDA MCNEW: Hello! JOHNNY: How are you? 262 00:12:20,116 --> 00:12:21,743 LINDA: Oh, I'm great. 263 00:12:21,743 --> 00:12:23,078 ♪ bright playful music playing ♪ 264 00:12:23,078 --> 00:12:25,372 [kissing] Yeah. 265 00:12:25,372 --> 00:12:27,832 She-- She'll hiss at you, but then you pick her up and you hold her lap, 266 00:12:27,832 --> 00:12:30,001 and within a minute she's-she's purring. JOHNNY: And she's fine. 267 00:12:30,001 --> 00:12:31,253 NARRATOR: Only a few years ago, 268 00:12:31,253 --> 00:12:34,256 Linda McNew moved to Florida from Pennsylvania. 269 00:12:34,256 --> 00:12:36,675 Like Johnny, she was in search of warmer weather 270 00:12:36,675 --> 00:12:38,843 and a longer growing season. 271 00:12:38,843 --> 00:12:40,929 She also probably loves oranges. 272 00:12:40,929 --> 00:12:42,889 That fact has not been checked. 273 00:12:42,889 --> 00:12:44,766 Kinda nervous, the pod season's ending. 274 00:12:44,766 --> 00:12:48,645 - Not for us. [laughs] - I know. That's why I'm here. 275 00:12:48,645 --> 00:12:50,146 Linda McNew. 276 00:12:50,564 --> 00:12:52,566 She's, she's passionate, she's-- 277 00:12:53,692 --> 00:12:55,193 Man, she's just a trip. [cat purring] 278 00:12:55,193 --> 00:12:57,445 JOHNNY: Do you have any accidental crosses you got going on? 279 00:12:57,445 --> 00:12:59,948 LINDA: I am working on my own cross. JOHNNY: Really? What are you crossing? 280 00:12:59,948 --> 00:13:01,783 Secretive? - Yes. 281 00:13:01,783 --> 00:13:05,203 Every pepper grower has a unique approach to it. Her approach is-- 282 00:13:05,203 --> 00:13:06,663 ♪ mysterious music playing ♪ 283 00:13:06,663 --> 00:13:09,708 It's almost sterile, it's so clean and orderly. 284 00:13:09,708 --> 00:13:12,210 Over here, I do all the processing of the peppers. 285 00:13:12,210 --> 00:13:13,837 JOHNNY: I love your setup! 286 00:13:13,837 --> 00:13:15,505 She's clinical about it, 287 00:13:15,505 --> 00:13:17,674 and it's just... man, 288 00:13:17,674 --> 00:13:19,426 there's so much order, it just makes sense. 289 00:13:20,427 --> 00:13:22,637 You know what I mean? How she approached it was just brilliant. 290 00:13:22,637 --> 00:13:26,266 I think the chance exists that you could have the hottest pepper 291 00:13:26,266 --> 00:13:28,184 right there right now, and you just don't even realize it. 292 00:13:28,184 --> 00:13:30,729 I'm serious! LINDA: [laughs] Yeah, you never know. 293 00:13:30,729 --> 00:13:32,314 I'm gonna say hello to my gang here. 294 00:13:32,314 --> 00:13:35,066 [chickens clucking] 295 00:13:35,066 --> 00:13:36,943 JOHNNY: Hi, guys. LINDA: Come here, guys. 296 00:13:36,943 --> 00:13:40,614 NARRATOR: By now, we all know that humans feel the burn of superhot 297 00:13:40,614 --> 00:13:43,033 because of the chemical capsaicin. 298 00:13:43,033 --> 00:13:45,493 LINDA: Hi, Mrs. Blue. NARRATOR: Well, fun fact, 299 00:13:45,493 --> 00:13:48,079 birds don't have capsaicin receptors, [Linda giggles] 300 00:13:48,079 --> 00:13:51,166 so Linda's chickens can snack on peppers pain free 301 00:13:51,166 --> 00:13:52,876 whenever they like. [clucking] 302 00:13:52,876 --> 00:13:55,212 JOHNNY: Any chicken that'll eat a superhot, that's my kind of chicken. 303 00:13:55,212 --> 00:13:56,963 LINDA: [laughs] So, they're cool. 304 00:13:57,672 --> 00:13:59,799 Um, this whole tent is basically Scorpions and Ghosts. 305 00:13:59,799 --> 00:14:01,218 JOHNNY: Look how pretty that little guy is. 306 00:14:01,218 --> 00:14:03,762 This is a third-year plant. Apocalypse Scorpion. 307 00:14:03,762 --> 00:14:05,430 Yes. JOHNNY: Nice. [whistles] 308 00:14:05,430 --> 00:14:07,682 - So, you-- you have to taste that. - Look at that color-- 309 00:14:07,682 --> 00:14:11,228 I gotta take a picture of this. Would you look at how much color is in the stem? 310 00:14:12,270 --> 00:14:14,689 LINDA: Um, we got all these, this is all Jigsaws. 311 00:14:14,689 --> 00:14:17,067 Chocolate Jigsaws. - Jigsaws are nasty. 312 00:14:17,067 --> 00:14:19,653 Now, these are, uh, these are Dragon's Breath? LINDA: Yeah. Yep. 313 00:14:19,653 --> 00:14:21,905 NARRATOR: Here in this tropical garden, 314 00:14:21,905 --> 00:14:25,325 Linda grows dozens of varieties of fresh superhots. 315 00:14:26,117 --> 00:14:28,662 But, there's one in particular she's Frankensteined 316 00:14:28,662 --> 00:14:31,414 that Johnny's been dying to try. 317 00:14:31,414 --> 00:14:34,209 She's dubbed it The Amnesia. 318 00:14:34,209 --> 00:14:35,835 JOHNNY: Those The Amnesia? LINDA: Yes, they are. 319 00:14:35,835 --> 00:14:36,920 JOHNNY: Yeah, they sure are. 320 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:38,588 LINDA: They'll probably knock you out pretty good. 321 00:14:38,588 --> 00:14:39,965 I better grab one of those while I'm here. 322 00:14:39,965 --> 00:14:43,635 ♪ intriguing music playing ♪ 323 00:14:43,635 --> 00:14:45,554 [rooster crows] 324 00:14:45,554 --> 00:14:47,472 [crunching, chewing] 325 00:14:49,641 --> 00:14:52,644 [flames crackling] 326 00:14:52,644 --> 00:14:55,647 ♪ adventurous music playing ♪ 327 00:14:57,566 --> 00:15:00,277 I'd love know what the genetics are 'cause it's hot as can be. 328 00:15:00,277 --> 00:15:01,611 LINDA: Yeah. 329 00:15:01,611 --> 00:15:04,823 You can just smell the heat. JOHNNY: Yeah, you know, you really can. 330 00:15:04,823 --> 00:15:07,867 NARRATOR: Like most of the superhots growers feed Johnny, 331 00:15:07,867 --> 00:15:11,246 The Amnesia is sure to break one million on the Scoville scale. 332 00:15:11,997 --> 00:15:13,748 But, despite its prowess, 333 00:15:13,748 --> 00:15:17,627 it doesn't quite touch those already on the list of contenders. 334 00:15:18,295 --> 00:15:20,088 I think I prefer a regular Fatalii more. 335 00:15:20,088 --> 00:15:22,424 LINDA: Okay. Okay. - The heat's probably pretty similar. 336 00:15:22,424 --> 00:15:24,217 But, I'll tell you what, I love the phenotype a lot. 337 00:15:24,217 --> 00:15:26,595 LINDA: Yeah. It is a neat-looking pepper. JOHNNY: You gotta be kidding me. 338 00:15:26,595 --> 00:15:29,222 LINDA: I was just glad that I had plenty of peppers. 339 00:15:29,222 --> 00:15:31,725 Plenty. And they're gorgeous, you know? They're great. 340 00:15:31,725 --> 00:15:34,853 My mouth is, like, sizzling still. - Cool. 341 00:15:34,853 --> 00:15:36,688 I like when you sizzle. That's a good thing. 342 00:15:37,230 --> 00:15:40,483 NARRATOR: Johnny usually takes his time in any pepper garden, 343 00:15:40,483 --> 00:15:42,569 but not today. 344 00:15:42,569 --> 00:15:46,531 This late in the season, the window to find fresh pods is closing. 345 00:15:46,531 --> 00:15:48,033 LINDA: Thank you. [kisses] 346 00:15:48,033 --> 00:15:49,868 Safe travels. - Absolutely. Thank you again, Art. 347 00:15:49,868 --> 00:15:51,745 You guys are awesome. Be safe. LINDA: Say hi to Tom. Yep. 348 00:15:51,745 --> 00:15:52,579 Have a good one. 349 00:15:52,579 --> 00:15:55,832 NARRATOR: So while The Amnesia is a tasty treat, 350 00:15:55,832 --> 00:15:59,211 it's time to move on, deeper into Florida, 351 00:15:59,211 --> 00:16:01,254 to see if there are any scorchers out there 352 00:16:01,254 --> 00:16:03,256 that can rewrite the record book. 353 00:16:03,256 --> 00:16:05,467 [birds chirping] 354 00:16:05,467 --> 00:16:08,762 ♪ mellow music playing ♪ 355 00:16:08,762 --> 00:16:10,096 Back up north, 356 00:16:10,096 --> 00:16:12,933 Aurea de Guzman has set up shop fully indoors 357 00:16:12,933 --> 00:16:15,435 to keep her plants safe from the cold. 358 00:16:15,435 --> 00:16:18,355 AUREA: Oh yeah. [giggle] [hydroponics gurgling] 359 00:16:18,355 --> 00:16:21,066 NARRATOR: And now, this is the time of year 360 00:16:21,066 --> 00:16:23,276 when Aurea digs into the process 361 00:16:23,276 --> 00:16:25,987 of breeding new superhots. 362 00:16:25,987 --> 00:16:28,073 Things are about to get pretty steamy. 363 00:16:28,073 --> 00:16:30,742 I would cover the kids' eyes if they're around. 364 00:16:30,742 --> 00:16:33,536 AUREA: You wanna find a, a bud 365 00:16:33,536 --> 00:16:36,331 that's hasn't even opened yet. 366 00:16:36,331 --> 00:16:39,334 And I'm gonna take the pollen 367 00:16:39,334 --> 00:16:42,003 from a bloomed pepper flower 368 00:16:42,003 --> 00:16:45,090 and essentially impregnate this other pepper 369 00:16:45,090 --> 00:16:47,467 with the pollen from the-the father plant. 370 00:16:47,467 --> 00:16:48,718 ♪ 371 00:16:48,718 --> 00:16:51,388 NARRATOR: Welcome to the pepper birds and bees. 372 00:16:51,972 --> 00:16:54,766 It's how Troy Primeaux made his 7 Pot Primo, 373 00:16:54,766 --> 00:16:57,185 and how Bobby made his Orange Gusher. 374 00:16:57,185 --> 00:17:00,480 Alright. Mommy meet Daddy. [laughs] 375 00:17:01,856 --> 00:17:03,567 Come on. Get in there. 376 00:17:04,192 --> 00:17:06,903 See? There you go. 377 00:17:06,903 --> 00:17:09,030 NARRATOR: We're gonna keep things mostly PG. 378 00:17:10,240 --> 00:17:14,828 NARRATOR: But beware. Aurea really gets into this stuff. 379 00:17:14,828 --> 00:17:16,705 AUREA: Mm. Gently. 380 00:17:17,622 --> 00:17:19,124 There you go. 381 00:17:19,124 --> 00:17:20,250 ♪ funk music playing ♪ 382 00:17:20,250 --> 00:17:21,251 [laughs] 383 00:17:21,251 --> 00:17:23,962 I coach them a little bit. I'm like, 384 00:17:23,962 --> 00:17:25,881 "You need to get in there more. 385 00:17:25,881 --> 00:17:28,717 Gotta go in deeper a little bit." [laughs] 386 00:17:28,717 --> 00:17:32,429 It's so weird saying this out loud, but-- [laughs] 387 00:17:32,804 --> 00:17:35,807 Oh yeah. Nice. 388 00:17:36,808 --> 00:17:39,227 Get in there, Daddy. 389 00:17:40,228 --> 00:17:41,730 Oh, my God, I'm a-- 390 00:17:42,731 --> 00:17:44,774 I'm a porn director. 391 00:17:44,774 --> 00:17:48,403 Hi, my name is Aurea, I grow peppers and I direct porn videos. 392 00:17:49,446 --> 00:17:52,991 NARRATOR: This will be Aurea's daily task in the coming weeks, 393 00:17:52,991 --> 00:17:56,578 in hopes that her new pepper baby grows the Chilipino Pepper Company 394 00:17:56,578 --> 00:17:58,997 in the months and years ahead. 395 00:17:58,997 --> 00:18:00,624 Mwah. 396 00:18:00,624 --> 00:18:03,627 ♪ funky music sting ♪ 397 00:18:06,796 --> 00:18:09,799 ♪ intriguing music playing ♪ 398 00:18:09,799 --> 00:18:11,426 [birds chirping] 399 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:13,637 TROY: It's just like every year, there's somethin', man. 400 00:18:13,637 --> 00:18:15,388 You know, it's like, 401 00:18:15,388 --> 00:18:18,099 it could be a hurricane, or it could be, 402 00:18:18,099 --> 00:18:21,978 you know, we had the pandemic, but we managed through that. 403 00:18:22,771 --> 00:18:26,858 The monetary, uh, factors involved in this are immense. 404 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:31,363 I mean, worst-case scenario, we don't sell 7 Pot Primo seeds next year, 405 00:18:31,363 --> 00:18:35,075 and-and, uh, we start again. 406 00:18:35,075 --> 00:18:38,328 NARRATOR: Troy Primeaux's voice might not sound stressed, 407 00:18:38,328 --> 00:18:41,498 but it's only because he's prepared for the worst. 408 00:18:41,498 --> 00:18:44,000 A cold-front gripped Shreveport last night, 409 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:45,460 much sooner than expected, 410 00:18:45,460 --> 00:18:47,712 threatening to kill almost half 411 00:18:47,712 --> 00:18:50,632 of his remaining 7 Pot Primo crop. 412 00:18:50,632 --> 00:18:52,551 [dog barks] TROY: There's Gary. 413 00:18:52,551 --> 00:18:54,844 It's Gary! 414 00:18:54,844 --> 00:18:58,056 NARRATOR: As he arrives at collaborator Gary Montcom's farm, 415 00:18:58,056 --> 00:19:02,060 nearly $40,000 of product hangs in the balance. 416 00:19:02,602 --> 00:19:04,396 TROY: Man, what's the good news, bad news? 417 00:19:04,396 --> 00:19:07,566 GARY MONTCALM: I don't know. I'ma let you see and you tell me. 418 00:19:08,358 --> 00:19:09,859 Alright, dude. 419 00:19:10,527 --> 00:19:13,655 Well, this one bit the dust, huh? 420 00:19:13,655 --> 00:19:16,157 Probably like you said, the ice and the wind. 421 00:19:16,157 --> 00:19:18,660 GARY: Yeah. Right. TROY: You know, snapped him. 422 00:19:18,660 --> 00:19:19,995 ♪ dramatic music playing ♪ 423 00:19:19,995 --> 00:19:22,372 This plant got spanked, split. 424 00:19:24,749 --> 00:19:26,585 GARY: I had to cut that one off. 425 00:19:27,627 --> 00:19:29,129 ♪ thoughtful music playing ♪ 426 00:19:29,129 --> 00:19:31,047 TROY: Gary constructed a sprinkler system 427 00:19:32,007 --> 00:19:34,384 that would hose down 428 00:19:34,384 --> 00:19:37,679 the whole Primo crop overnight all night. 429 00:19:37,679 --> 00:19:39,931 The water will freeze first, 430 00:19:39,931 --> 00:19:43,310 and the cell structure of the plants, which has water in it, 431 00:19:44,185 --> 00:19:45,687 will freeze later, 432 00:19:46,354 --> 00:19:49,482 so it somewhat insulates the crop. 433 00:19:51,026 --> 00:19:53,069 So, we lost-- How many did you lose? 434 00:19:53,069 --> 00:19:56,239 Plants? Total plants? I don't know. Six maybe. 435 00:19:56,239 --> 00:19:59,242 TROY: That's not bad. I'm surprised, dude. 436 00:19:59,242 --> 00:20:02,495 I mean, I guess the water trick worked. 437 00:20:02,495 --> 00:20:05,415 They were drooping because of the weight of the ice, 438 00:20:05,415 --> 00:20:06,958 but the plants are fine. 439 00:20:06,958 --> 00:20:10,837 And that thing was absolutely covered with an eighth-inch of solid ice. 440 00:20:10,837 --> 00:20:13,715 Plants survived because they were insulated 441 00:20:13,715 --> 00:20:16,426 by that-that moisture barrier that froze first. 442 00:20:17,385 --> 00:20:18,887 This is great. Look, and they're firm. 443 00:20:20,013 --> 00:20:21,640 They would be mush. - Yeah. Right. 444 00:20:21,640 --> 00:20:23,600 TROY: I think they'll be fine, man. 445 00:20:24,351 --> 00:20:27,562 GARY: It's just one of those very well-learned lessons. [laughs] 446 00:20:27,562 --> 00:20:29,314 TROY: You did good. GARY: Thanks, man. 447 00:20:29,314 --> 00:20:31,191 NARRATOR: Gary's MacGyvering last night 448 00:20:31,191 --> 00:20:34,236 saved most of the harvest from the unexpected cold. 449 00:20:34,236 --> 00:20:37,822 But, when winter stakes its claim for real in the coming weeks, 450 00:20:37,822 --> 00:20:41,326 fun little sprinkler tricks will not be enough. 451 00:20:41,326 --> 00:20:44,412 This is the final stand for Troy and Gary 452 00:20:44,412 --> 00:20:46,831 to maximize their season. 453 00:20:46,831 --> 00:20:50,794 TROY: Could have been a lot of financial loss, 454 00:20:50,794 --> 00:20:53,004 a lot of blood, sweat, and tears loss. 455 00:20:53,004 --> 00:20:55,298 So, good job, man. 456 00:20:55,298 --> 00:20:58,760 ♪ bright music playing ♪ 457 00:21:00,762 --> 00:21:03,390 ♪ upbeat music playing ♪ 458 00:21:03,390 --> 00:21:04,391 [quiet street noise] 459 00:21:04,391 --> 00:21:06,518 NARRATOR: When Zach Goot retired from the chili community, 460 00:21:06,518 --> 00:21:10,480 he did it to focus on family and adjust priorities. 461 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:13,692 But finding equilibrium without spice in his life hasn't been easy. 462 00:21:14,609 --> 00:21:17,362 ZACH: She-- Yeah, she's already doubted that I'm gonna take a break, 463 00:21:17,362 --> 00:21:20,031 and all-- I-I can't even reassure her. 464 00:21:20,031 --> 00:21:21,866 I just have to show her. 465 00:21:21,866 --> 00:21:24,869 And I am. I'm really-- You know, I just-- 466 00:21:24,869 --> 00:21:26,371 I don't wanna lose my wife over this. 467 00:21:26,371 --> 00:21:28,748 ♪ 468 00:21:28,748 --> 00:21:32,210 It is definitely a daily struggle for me 469 00:21:32,210 --> 00:21:34,212 to be the best version of myself. 470 00:21:35,463 --> 00:21:36,673 NARRATOR: Despite the struggle, 471 00:21:36,673 --> 00:21:39,759 Zach has tried to find balance and routine. 472 00:21:39,759 --> 00:21:42,178 ZACH: Buckle up for safety, Dad! 473 00:21:42,178 --> 00:21:46,182 NARRATOR: Over the past few weeks, he's picked up his daughter, Tallulah, 474 00:21:46,182 --> 00:21:48,977 from school every single day. 475 00:21:48,977 --> 00:21:51,605 Oh, just another day. Gonna go eat some ramen. 476 00:21:52,564 --> 00:21:53,982 ♪ 477 00:21:53,982 --> 00:21:56,943 NARRATOR: Recovery from any addiction comes with bumps in the road 478 00:21:56,943 --> 00:21:59,070 and moments you slip. 479 00:21:59,070 --> 00:22:00,572 After you, missy. 480 00:22:02,574 --> 00:22:04,743 NARRATOR: This lunch with his daughter 481 00:22:04,743 --> 00:22:07,454 just became one of those moments for Zach. 482 00:22:10,081 --> 00:22:13,501 Uh, up at the bar would be fine. SERVER: Okay, awesome. Uh... 483 00:22:13,501 --> 00:22:16,004 So, what's-what's in this Reaper Ramen Challenge? 484 00:22:16,546 --> 00:22:18,340 SERVER: Oh, I'll let you tell. - Yeah? 485 00:22:18,340 --> 00:22:20,842 So, in this Reaper challenge, so we have a traditional... 486 00:22:20,842 --> 00:22:21,843 Come 'ere, baby. 487 00:22:21,843 --> 00:22:25,055 ...spicy miso with the use of Carolina Reaper, 488 00:22:25,055 --> 00:22:28,475 7 Pot pepper, Scorpion pepper... - [sighs] Yes. 489 00:22:28,475 --> 00:22:31,811 ...Habanero pepper, and a few other spices. 490 00:22:31,811 --> 00:22:33,521 What's the-- Got time limit on it? 491 00:22:33,521 --> 00:22:36,775 Yeah, so you have 12 minutes to finish it. Nothing to drink. 492 00:22:36,775 --> 00:22:37,692 Let's do it, man. 493 00:22:37,692 --> 00:22:39,402 - Yeah, let's do it. - I'm actually excited to do it. 494 00:22:39,402 --> 00:22:42,030 Uh, is that a waiver I gotta sign? SERVER: Yes, sir. 495 00:22:42,030 --> 00:22:43,698 NARRATOR: It's not the Zest Fest spotlight, 496 00:22:43,698 --> 00:22:47,077 or even his Texas Hot Spot livestream. 497 00:22:47,077 --> 00:22:51,039 This is the Rolling Stones playing in your grandma's living room. 498 00:22:51,039 --> 00:22:54,417 It might not be much, but this Reaper Ramen challenge 499 00:22:54,417 --> 00:22:56,836 is the taste of superhot he has been craving. 500 00:22:56,836 --> 00:22:58,547 Are you gonna root me on? 501 00:22:58,547 --> 00:23:00,465 - Yeah. - I hope so. I hope you're my biggest fan. 502 00:23:00,465 --> 00:23:02,175 We're gonna have so much fun doing this. 503 00:23:02,175 --> 00:23:04,553 Like, if your nose smells the good stuff, 504 00:23:04,553 --> 00:23:07,639 your mouth keeps on goin'! - That's right. 505 00:23:07,639 --> 00:23:10,809 "If your nose smells the good stuff, your mouth keeps on goin'." 506 00:23:10,809 --> 00:23:13,853 That's the best advice I've ever had from anybody. 507 00:23:13,853 --> 00:23:16,356 CHEF: Here you go, man. SERVER: Alright. 508 00:23:16,356 --> 00:23:20,318 CHEF: So, the Triple Reaper Ramen. ZACH: [exhales] Awesome. 509 00:23:20,318 --> 00:23:21,945 CHEF: Alright, ready? ZACH: Ready. 510 00:23:21,945 --> 00:23:23,738 TALLULAH GOOT: Three, two, one, go! CHEF: Go. 511 00:23:23,738 --> 00:23:26,741 ZACH: Alright, let's mix this up. TALLULAH: Oh, my God! 512 00:23:26,741 --> 00:23:28,368 Dad's goin' hard on it. ZACH: Let's mix all this up 513 00:23:28,368 --> 00:23:30,036 and get it nice and mixed up. Let's try some of this. 514 00:23:30,036 --> 00:23:31,037 [chews and moans] 515 00:23:31,037 --> 00:23:33,373 ♪ playful music playing ♪ 516 00:23:33,373 --> 00:23:36,042 Mm, that pork is so good. 517 00:23:36,042 --> 00:23:38,169 TALLULAH: Dad, are you gonna be mad if you don't do this? 518 00:23:38,169 --> 00:23:40,005 - I am. - What are you gonna do? 519 00:23:40,005 --> 00:23:41,047 Cry. 520 00:23:41,590 --> 00:23:44,134 - Yeah-- - I think I'm doin' pretty good though. 521 00:23:44,134 --> 00:23:46,928 Oh yeah, you're doin' really good! 522 00:23:47,554 --> 00:23:50,098 Yeah. Starting to get a little hot, a little, a little warm. 523 00:23:50,098 --> 00:23:53,059 We got a little psycho here! [Zach sighs] 524 00:23:53,059 --> 00:23:55,228 [flames crackling] [spoon clanking] 525 00:23:55,228 --> 00:23:56,229 [sighs] 526 00:23:57,188 --> 00:24:00,025 TALLULAH [echoing]: Daddy, go, you have to do it. 527 00:24:00,025 --> 00:24:03,028 [echoing crowd screaming] 528 00:24:03,028 --> 00:24:04,362 [echoing crowd cheering] 529 00:24:04,362 --> 00:24:08,033 ZACH: In any competition, when that crowd starts yellin', 530 00:24:08,033 --> 00:24:10,702 it's-it's-it's a complete euphoric feeling. 531 00:24:10,702 --> 00:24:12,704 You're, you're in it. You're in the moment. 532 00:24:12,704 --> 00:24:15,707 [cheering] [chanting] Zach, Zach, Zach. 533 00:24:17,083 --> 00:24:21,171 [giggles] Wow, he gonna suffocate if he-- 534 00:24:21,171 --> 00:24:23,215 He's gonna be-- - Here we go. We're goin' with the broth. 535 00:24:23,215 --> 00:24:25,508 ♪ intense music playing ♪ 536 00:24:25,508 --> 00:24:26,927 Alright, here we go. 537 00:24:26,927 --> 00:24:29,930 ♪ calm Zen music playing ♪ 538 00:24:34,184 --> 00:24:35,560 [gasps] 539 00:24:35,560 --> 00:24:38,021 We're up to a six. TALLULAH: You can do this, Dad! 540 00:24:38,021 --> 00:24:41,274 You know, the support from my wife slowly dwindled 541 00:24:41,274 --> 00:24:42,984 throughout the two and a half years. 542 00:24:43,985 --> 00:24:45,695 You know, my wife loves Zachary Goot. 543 00:24:45,695 --> 00:24:48,073 She didn't fall in love with The Texas Hot Spot. 544 00:24:48,073 --> 00:24:50,450 But, Tallulah's support never ran out. 545 00:24:50,450 --> 00:24:52,953 [Zach sighs] - Roses are red, violets are blue, 546 00:24:52,953 --> 00:24:54,955 I believe in you. 547 00:24:56,414 --> 00:24:58,667 [drops bowl] CHEF: Monster! [laughs] 548 00:24:58,667 --> 00:25:01,753 SERVER: There you go. [sighs, claps] 549 00:25:02,504 --> 00:25:05,465 How many minutes did he have when he finished? 550 00:25:07,634 --> 00:25:10,470 ZACH: I destroyed it. - Oh, my God! 551 00:25:10,470 --> 00:25:12,013 ZACH: High five. NARRATOR: Addiction to heat 552 00:25:12,013 --> 00:25:13,723 is very real for Zach. 553 00:25:13,723 --> 00:25:15,475 Today, he's managed to indulge 554 00:25:15,475 --> 00:25:17,978 without abandoning his priorities. 555 00:25:18,562 --> 00:25:20,230 But as with all roads to recovery, 556 00:25:20,230 --> 00:25:22,482 it can be a slippery slope. 557 00:25:22,482 --> 00:25:23,733 ZACH: So, oh no, what am I gonna do? 558 00:25:23,733 --> 00:25:25,610 How am I gonna get my spicy fix now? 559 00:25:25,610 --> 00:25:27,612 Well, I got a whole rack of hot sauce at home 560 00:25:27,612 --> 00:25:29,614 that I can get my spicy fix with at home. 561 00:25:30,782 --> 00:25:34,035 Uh, there's restaurants that I will probably continue to visit 562 00:25:34,035 --> 00:25:37,080 over and over again just to get that spicy fix. It's-- 563 00:25:38,039 --> 00:25:41,543 It's something that may be a part of me for the rest of my life. 564 00:25:41,543 --> 00:25:43,587 If anyone breaks-- Hey, if anyone breaks my record, 565 00:25:43,587 --> 00:25:46,631 I'm comin' back real quick, alright? Thanks, guys. Have a good one. 566 00:25:46,631 --> 00:25:49,551 NARRATOR: While Zach Goot hopes this dose of superhot 567 00:25:49,551 --> 00:25:51,177 fills a void for a while, 568 00:25:52,178 --> 00:25:54,347 down south in Florida, 569 00:25:54,347 --> 00:25:57,309 Johnny Scoville is attempting to keep the heat coming 570 00:25:57,309 --> 00:25:59,269 as long as he can. 571 00:25:59,269 --> 00:26:01,396 With time running out on the season, 572 00:26:01,396 --> 00:26:05,609 a grower named Tom Broome might be his last hope 573 00:26:05,609 --> 00:26:08,778 to find a contender for the hottest pepper on Earth. 574 00:26:08,778 --> 00:26:10,697 JOHNNY: So, it's been a while since I've seen Tom. 575 00:26:10,697 --> 00:26:14,034 He's been into plants since he was 8 years old. 576 00:26:14,034 --> 00:26:15,493 That's been his passion. 577 00:26:17,913 --> 00:26:19,414 Tom Broome. 578 00:26:20,790 --> 00:26:23,668 You need a better fence, man, to keep us riffraff out. 579 00:26:23,668 --> 00:26:25,337 Yeah, you do. JOHNNY: My brother. 580 00:26:25,337 --> 00:26:26,796 - Man, what's happening? - Good to see you, dude. 581 00:26:26,796 --> 00:26:28,006 How are ya? Happy birthday. 582 00:26:28,006 --> 00:26:30,342 TOM BROOME: Thank you very much! JOHNNY: You look younger somehow. 583 00:26:30,342 --> 00:26:33,470 - I-I feel younger every year. - Fantastic. You ready? 584 00:26:33,470 --> 00:26:36,264 That's 'cause I learned another year's worth of stuff 585 00:26:36,264 --> 00:26:38,141 since the last year. - Exactly. 586 00:26:38,141 --> 00:26:41,269 Yeah, man, Tom Broome, he's just a mad scientist. 587 00:26:41,269 --> 00:26:44,564 He's a lunatic, and he's got a sadistic part in him. Boy, he likes hurting people. 588 00:26:44,564 --> 00:26:46,358 I'm lookin' forward to seeing what you got. 589 00:26:46,358 --> 00:26:47,651 ♪ 590 00:26:47,651 --> 00:26:49,569 Man, I got the best stuff there is. 591 00:26:49,569 --> 00:26:52,447 - I hear that. - You know where to drive. 592 00:26:52,447 --> 00:26:54,950 ♪ soft crescendo ♪ 593 00:26:54,950 --> 00:26:58,119 [birds chirping] [wind blowing] 594 00:27:00,121 --> 00:27:02,540 ♪ playful music playing ♪ 595 00:27:02,540 --> 00:27:05,377 TOM: Take a look at, here's some African plants. 596 00:27:05,919 --> 00:27:08,922 Encephalartos gratus from Mozambique. 597 00:27:09,798 --> 00:27:12,968 JOHNNY: Really? TOM: Yeah. There's the female cone. 598 00:27:12,968 --> 00:27:15,220 JOHNNY: Oh my gosh. It's huge. 599 00:27:15,220 --> 00:27:17,722 NARRATOR: Tom Broome is the best kind of botanist. 600 00:27:17,722 --> 00:27:19,057 An eccentric one. 601 00:27:19,057 --> 00:27:22,811 He made his name growing a plant known as a cycad... 602 00:27:22,811 --> 00:27:24,145 Look at this. 603 00:27:24,145 --> 00:27:26,731 I mean, that's a cycad. That's actually my favorite cycad. 604 00:27:26,731 --> 00:27:29,526 NARRATOR: ...and migrated into peppers only a few years back. 605 00:27:29,526 --> 00:27:32,279 This is nubimontanus robustus. 606 00:27:32,279 --> 00:27:34,573 NARRATOR: He's known for his insatiable knowledge 607 00:27:34,573 --> 00:27:37,742 and love of talking about the plants he grows. 608 00:27:37,742 --> 00:27:40,912 And when we say he loves to talk, my man, 609 00:27:40,912 --> 00:27:42,163 dude loves to talk! 610 00:27:42,163 --> 00:27:45,000 TOM: Now, this plant is extinct in the wild. 611 00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:47,836 You know, cycads were the most abundant plants, 612 00:27:47,836 --> 00:27:50,922 or cycadales, which is an order of plants, 613 00:27:50,922 --> 00:27:53,216 was the most prominent plant group 614 00:27:53,216 --> 00:27:55,886 during the time of the dinosaurs. 615 00:27:55,886 --> 00:27:57,679 JOHNNY: Boy, it's a nasty plant, too. 616 00:27:57,679 --> 00:27:59,681 Fell into that, you'd have a problem. TOM: Yes, it is! 617 00:27:59,681 --> 00:28:00,974 Yes, it is. 618 00:28:00,974 --> 00:28:02,642 [laughs] [Johnny scoffs] 619 00:28:04,436 --> 00:28:07,480 NARRATOR: As Tom leads the way deeper into his vine-filled jungle of plants... 620 00:28:08,398 --> 00:28:10,400 JOHNNY: Wow. 621 00:28:10,400 --> 00:28:12,277 Boy, all kinds of fruit everywhere, man. 622 00:28:12,277 --> 00:28:14,404 NARRATOR: ...all roads lead toward the peppers 623 00:28:14,404 --> 00:28:17,032 that Johnny was beckoned here to see. 624 00:28:17,032 --> 00:28:19,451 - Yeah, a little bit-- - What we got here? 625 00:28:19,451 --> 00:28:21,703 TOM: That's the Chocolate Brain strains from Cabby. 626 00:28:21,703 --> 00:28:25,206 JOHNNY: [whistles] Smells strong. 627 00:28:25,206 --> 00:28:26,750 - You evolved. - And I ate-- Right? [laughs] 628 00:28:26,750 --> 00:28:28,585 I ate a, uh, I ate one of these yesterday. 629 00:28:28,585 --> 00:28:30,295 I'm curious to see how the heat's gonna be compared. 630 00:28:30,295 --> 00:28:32,547 Alright. I'm sure it'll be hotter. 631 00:28:35,550 --> 00:28:36,801 Right away hotter. 632 00:28:38,178 --> 00:28:39,387 - Yeah-- - That's still-- That's got 633 00:28:39,387 --> 00:28:40,847 a nice pulsating burn. 634 00:28:40,847 --> 00:28:42,974 It's doin' one of these things. Yeah. - Still doin' it, huh? 635 00:28:42,974 --> 00:28:44,643 ♪ calm music playing ♪ 636 00:28:44,643 --> 00:28:48,271 TOM: For lack of anything better, I'm calling this Killer Yellow. 637 00:28:48,271 --> 00:28:49,898 Yeah, try that out. JOHNNY: What a pretty pepper, 638 00:28:49,898 --> 00:28:51,233 Killer Yellow. 639 00:28:51,233 --> 00:28:53,652 My favorite peppers to eat for flavor 640 00:28:53,652 --> 00:28:57,197 are yellow pods because they taste more citrusy. 641 00:28:57,197 --> 00:28:59,658 They really do. They have citrus notes that are so strong, 642 00:28:59,658 --> 00:29:01,284 almost like you're chewin' on a lemon rind. 643 00:29:01,284 --> 00:29:02,994 They're really citrusy. I love that. 644 00:29:02,994 --> 00:29:04,996 Smell that. So citrusy. 645 00:29:05,956 --> 00:29:07,040 Oh yeah, not bad. 646 00:29:07,040 --> 00:29:09,167 You got your smell-o-vision on? Smell that. 647 00:29:09,167 --> 00:29:10,919 But, the drawback 648 00:29:10,919 --> 00:29:14,422 of a yellow pod is they just aren't as hot 649 00:29:14,422 --> 00:29:16,841 as the chocolate or the red pods of the same type. 650 00:29:16,841 --> 00:29:18,468 So, if you have a, a Yellow Ghost, 651 00:29:18,468 --> 00:29:21,221 is not as hot as a Red Ghost or a Chocolate, period. 652 00:29:21,221 --> 00:29:23,181 Not debatable. Fact. 653 00:29:24,057 --> 00:29:25,559 Alright, here we go. 654 00:29:28,270 --> 00:29:29,729 Sweet. 655 00:29:29,729 --> 00:29:31,606 TOM: Definitely, but hot. - Yeah. 656 00:29:31,606 --> 00:29:34,609 ♪ dramatic music playing ♪ 657 00:29:34,609 --> 00:29:37,612 [fire crackling] [mysterious rumbling] 658 00:29:40,240 --> 00:29:43,118 - That's hot, dude. - Yes, sir. 659 00:29:43,118 --> 00:29:45,412 JOHNNY: [whistles] Wow, that's a great pepper. 660 00:29:45,412 --> 00:29:47,080 That's impressive, man. 661 00:29:47,080 --> 00:29:49,499 That's crazy. TOM: Like Primotalii. 662 00:29:49,499 --> 00:29:53,628 This is a Killer Yellow from Tom Broome. 663 00:29:53,628 --> 00:29:56,506 Now, he initially thought this was a accidental cross 664 00:29:56,506 --> 00:30:01,136 between a Prim-- a Primotalii and a Lemon Yellow Brain. 665 00:30:01,136 --> 00:30:03,388 But, after he's done a little research and a little, 666 00:30:03,388 --> 00:30:05,223 you know, thinkin' further about it, 667 00:30:05,223 --> 00:30:08,226 Tom believes that that's not an accidental cross. 668 00:30:08,226 --> 00:30:09,644 That's just a strange case 669 00:30:09,644 --> 00:30:11,146 where a Red Primotalii plant 670 00:30:11,146 --> 00:30:15,108 just happened to throw a yellow pod by happenstance. 671 00:30:15,108 --> 00:30:16,902 Which, 672 00:30:16,902 --> 00:30:19,404 it's like opening a-an oyster and finding a pearl. 673 00:30:19,404 --> 00:30:21,615 It's an accidental beauty. It's like, "Whoa, you're kidding." 674 00:30:21,615 --> 00:30:23,909 Wow, that pepper is impressive, man! 675 00:30:23,909 --> 00:30:26,286 Now, you're gonna have to wait a little bit before you go? 676 00:30:26,286 --> 00:30:28,496 Uh, just a couple, yeah. That's-- Listen, that's a hot pepper. 677 00:30:28,496 --> 00:30:31,249 That surprised me. That caught me off guard. 678 00:30:31,249 --> 00:30:33,251 And I'm telling you-- Here's the weird part. 679 00:30:33,251 --> 00:30:35,962 We had it a couple months ago. It's literally the tail end of the season, 680 00:30:35,962 --> 00:30:39,674 w-w-- approaching wintertime, and that pod was piping hot. 681 00:30:40,717 --> 00:30:42,802 Pods-Pods are hotter in the summertime. 682 00:30:42,802 --> 00:30:45,055 That yellow pod, you get it-- that Killer Yellow, 683 00:30:45,055 --> 00:30:46,681 you get it in peak July or August-- 684 00:30:47,724 --> 00:30:49,809 There is no-- 685 00:30:49,809 --> 00:30:51,978 Th-There are very few red pods hotter than that. 686 00:30:51,978 --> 00:30:53,396 I don't wanna pick just on the Reaper. 687 00:30:53,396 --> 00:30:55,315 I mean, the idea that a yellow pod 688 00:30:55,315 --> 00:30:57,817 can be hotter than a Reaper, than a Red Reaper? 689 00:30:57,817 --> 00:30:59,653 ♪ 690 00:30:59,653 --> 00:31:02,239 He needs to go to bed every night, just, like, 691 00:31:02,239 --> 00:31:04,449 screaming excited because that's exclusive. 692 00:31:04,449 --> 00:31:07,786 It's the only place on the planet that has Yellow Primotaliis. 693 00:31:08,787 --> 00:31:11,414 My man. That-- I'm not joking you. 694 00:31:11,414 --> 00:31:13,416 That has potential to be a record breaker. 695 00:31:14,417 --> 00:31:16,419 It's burning me right in here. I haven't touched my face. 696 00:31:16,419 --> 00:31:17,671 It's burning me right in here. 697 00:31:18,797 --> 00:31:19,923 You alright? JOHNNY: Yeah! 698 00:31:20,465 --> 00:31:23,343 This needs to be locked up somewhere. Seriously. 699 00:31:23,343 --> 00:31:26,096 'Cause if I ever came to your house, I'm robbing-- I'm stealin' that one first. 700 00:31:26,846 --> 00:31:28,306 This is a good one, dude. 701 00:31:28,306 --> 00:31:30,433 NARRATOR: When you go looking for the end of the rainbow, 702 00:31:30,433 --> 00:31:34,020 be prepared for a long trip with possibly no ending. 703 00:31:34,020 --> 00:31:37,065 I mean, there's no guarantee you'll ever find it. 704 00:31:37,065 --> 00:31:39,484 But, despite time ticking away 705 00:31:39,484 --> 00:31:42,279 and the cold threatening to end it all, 706 00:31:42,279 --> 00:31:44,614 Johnny Scoville has managed to find a pot of gold 707 00:31:44,614 --> 00:31:47,325 to add to his pantheon. 708 00:31:47,325 --> 00:31:49,536 And what a pantheon it is. 709 00:31:49,536 --> 00:31:53,832 He probably has a little leprechaun leasing out some room 710 00:31:53,832 --> 00:31:56,918 in that beautiful braided beard of his. 711 00:31:56,918 --> 00:32:00,297 I'm just here to tell you that all these peppers, 712 00:32:00,297 --> 00:32:01,756 it's anybody's game. 713 00:32:01,756 --> 00:32:04,301 I want the one that makes me nervous to eat it. 714 00:32:04,301 --> 00:32:07,095 I was so excited about when they released the-the Dragon's Breath 715 00:32:07,095 --> 00:32:09,389 'cause they said it could kill a man. 716 00:32:09,389 --> 00:32:12,225 Could kill a man! Like, sign me up for that one. 717 00:32:12,225 --> 00:32:13,476 I knew it couldn't kill anybody. 718 00:32:13,476 --> 00:32:15,770 The first time I ate one, I think I ate eight of them. 719 00:32:15,770 --> 00:32:18,857 But, I-I-I get nervous when I hear about peppers like that 720 00:32:18,857 --> 00:32:20,483 and that's, that's exciting. 721 00:32:21,318 --> 00:32:23,236 [taps board] We'll see. 722 00:32:23,236 --> 00:32:25,697 [crackling] 723 00:32:25,697 --> 00:32:28,700 ♪ inspiring music playing ♪ 724 00:32:48,345 --> 00:32:50,055 ♪ music ends ♪ 725 00:32:52,390 --> 00:32:53,516 [whistling]