Ross Barber – Experimental Chili Breeder

Ross Barber is an independent chili breeder known for his daring approach to crossbreeding some of the world’s hottest peppers. His most infamous creation is the RB003, a hybrid of the Carolina Reaper and the 7 Pot Brain Strain, both of which are already among the hottest peppers ever cultivated.

RB003 quickly gained a reputation for its scorching heat, reportedly surpassing the Carolina Reaper in intensity. The pepper’s rough, bumpy texture and twisted, elongated shape make it look as menacing as it tastes. While it has yet to undergo official Scoville testing, those who have tried it describe it as a slow-building but devastating burn, earning comparisons to the strongest super-hots on the market.

Beyond RB003, Barber has worked on various experimental pepper crosses, often collaborating with other growers to refine new super-hot varieties. His work represents the grassroots, community-driven approach to chili breeding, where small-scale growers exchange seeds and push chili genetics to new extremes. Though not a commercial breeder, Barber’s hybrids have become cult favorites in the chili community, proving that some of the world’s most intense peppers can come from the hands of independent growers.