Troy “Primo” Primeaux
Troy “Primo” Primeaux
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
Known For: Creator of the 7 Pot Primo and contributor to superhot chili breeding culture
Troy “Primo” Primeaux is one of the most influential figures in the modern superhot chili scene. A native of Louisiana, Primeaux is best known for breeding the legendary 7 Pot Primo — a pepper that, for many years, was a leading contender in the race for the world’s hottest chili. With its signature scorpion tail and blistered, bulbous surface, the 7 Pot Primo has become a benchmark for heat, aesthetics, and breeding potential.
A former punk rock musician turned horticulturist, Primeaux earned his nickname "Primo" while performing in bands, and later brought that name into the world of peppers. He began breeding chilies in the mid-2000s while working at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he focused on sustainable agriculture and heirloom seed preservation. The 7 Pot Primo is a cross between a Naga Morich and a Trinidad 7 Pot, stabilized over multiple generations by Troy himself. Its extreme heat — often exceeding 1.4 million Scoville units — made it a favorite among hardcore chili heads and sauce makers.
In addition to breeding, Troy and his wife Kara Primeaux operate Primo's Peppers, a Louisiana-based hot sauce and seed company that offers the Primo strain and other products. His peppers have been used to create further hybrids like the Big Mustard Mama and have been instrumental in pushing the aesthetics of superhot pods (notably the “tail” morphology) to new extremes.
Primo has also been a vocal advocate for transparency in the pepper world, often calling for accurate naming, honest heat testing, and breeder credit where due. His no-nonsense, community-forward approach has earned him deep respect in the chili growing community.
Notable Creations:
- 7 Pot Primo
- Source genetics for Big Mustard Mama and other hybrids
- Primo’s Peppers sauce line
Legacy:
Troy Primeaux helped elevate chili pepper breeding from backyard experimentation to a professional craft. His 7 Pot Primo remains a foundational strain for many modern breeders, and his advocacy for ethics and authenticity continues to shape the culture of pepper development.
Sources / References
- Primo's Peppers – www.primospeppers.com
- Chili Pepper Madness – Profile on 7 Pot Primo
- Louisiana Life Magazine – “The Hottest Thing in Louisiana Isn’t the Weather”
- The Hot Pepper Forum – Interviews and posts from Troy Primeaux
- YouTube: PuckerButt / PepperheadTV – interviews and pod reviews