Scoville Scale and Chili Peppers

Let's get into how the Scoville Scale quantifies the heat of chili peppers by measuring their capsaicin strength in Scoville Heat Units (SHU), and learn where popular peppers land on the scale from mild to blistering.

This post also explores the historical roots of the scale (invented by pharmacist Wilbur Scoville in 1912) and how understanding it can deepen your appreciation and precision when cooking with spicy ingredients.

Table of Contents

Jump to:

• What is the Scoville Scale?
• What is the Hottest Pepper in the World?
• Scoville Scale (Average SHU Range) with Place of Origin/Popularity
• Popular Chili Pepper Pairings
• Spicy Recipes
• 5 Tips for Handling Hot Peppers
• Sound Like Chili Peppers but Are Not
• Pepper Pastes with SHU
• Health Benefits and Risks of Spicy Peppers
• What Helps Relieve Chili Pepper Heat from Spicy Foods?
• Cooking Tips and Tutorials
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Leave a Comment or Ask a Question

What is the Scoville Scale?

It's a popular scale used to measure a chili pepper's heat level. The higher the number on the Scoville scale, the hotter the pepper.  It's on a scale because the pepper's heat falls under a particular range.  The chilies get their heat from the capsaicin, which is responsible for the irritation, pain, or burning sensation you may feel.  

All spicy peppers have a certain concentration of capsaicin, hence the use of SHU, Scoville Heat Units (NIST.gov), to determine where it falls on the scale. So let's give Scientist Wilbur Scoville, an American pharmacist (Wikipedia), a shout-out for creating this method in 1912.

What is the Hottest Pepper in the World?

For a long time, the Carolina Reaper (Wikipedia) was the undisputed king. It became a legend in competitive eating due to its intense heat, averaging around 1,641,183 SHU. In 2022, we saw some incredible records set with this pepper:

• Gregory Foster: Ate 10 Reapers in 33.15 seconds on September 17, 2022. Read more on Guinness World Records' Man speed-eats Ghost chilli peppers in a minute to break record.
• Mike Jack: Ate 50 Reapers in 6.49 seconds on November 5, 2022. Read more on Guinness World Records' Fastest time to eat 50 Carolina Reaper chilli peppers.

The New Record Holder: Pepper X

While the Carolina Reaper held the title for a decade, the crown officially moved in late 2023. Pepper X (Wikipedia) is now officially the hottest chili pepper in the world, as confirmed by Guinness World Records on October 9, 2023. Read more in their post, Pepper X dethrones Carolina Reaper as world's hottest chilli pepper.

While early rumors estimated it at over 3 million SHU, the official laboratory testing for the record confirmed an average of 2,693,641 SHU. That makes it nearly a million units hotter than the average Carolina Reaper!

Other peppers that sit near the top of the scale include the Komodo Dragon, which reaches up to 2.2 million SHU, and the Trinidad Scorpion, though the massive heat of Pepper X has now surpassed both.

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• How to Prep Sweet Peppers | Bell Peppers and More

Scoville Scale (Average SHU Range) with Place of Origin/Popularity

SHU	Pepper Name *Links are Recipes	Origin/Popularity
3,180,000 - 2,693,000	Pepper X	South Carolina, United States
2,200,00 - 1,641,183	Carolina Reaper Pepper	South Carolina, United States
2,000,000 - 1,200,000	Trinidad Moruga Scorpion	Moruga, Trinadad and Tabago
1,382,118	Naga Viper Pepper	Cumbria, England, UK
1,250,000 - 1,067,286	Infinity Chili	Grantham, Lincolnshire, England
1,001,304	Bhut Jolokia / Naga Jolokia, aka Ghost Pepper	Northeast India: Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland
750,000 - 350,000	Red Savina Habanero	California, United States
350,000 - 100,000	Habanero Chili Pepper	North of South America in the Amazon
350,000 - 100,000	Scotch Bonnet Pepper	Caribbean: Jamaica, Trinidad; also grown in West Africa
100,000 - 80,000	Macho Pepper	Oaxaca and the Yucatan Region of Mexico
100,000 - 60,000	Malagueta Pepper	Brazil
100,000 - 50,000	Bird's Chili, aka Thai Chili Pepper	South East Asia
30,000 - 50,000	Tabasco Pepper	Mexico
50,000 - 30,000	Cayenne Pepper	Cayenne, French Guiana
50,000 - 30,000	Crushed Red Pepper, Cayenne Type	Cayenne, French Guiana
50,000 - 25,000	Aji Amarillo	Peru
40,000 - 25,000	Calabrian Chili Peppers	Calabria, Italy
30,000 - 15,000	Chile de Arbol	Mexico
25,000 - 10,000	Serrano Pepper	Puebla and Hidalgo, Mexico
10,000	Chongyang Chili Pepper	South Korea
10,000 - 2,500	Jalapeño peppers / Chipotle	Mexico
5,000 - 2,500	Guajillo Chili	Mexico
8,000 - 1,500	Hatch Pepper	Hatch Valley, New Mexico
5,000 - 1,000	Baklouti Pepper	Tunisia
2,000 - 1,000	Moruga, Rinanadad, and Tabago	Puebla, Mexico
1,000 - 500	Beaver Dam Pepper	Wisconsin, United States
1,000 - 100	Cubanelle	Caribbean: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Italy
1,000 - 1	Medusa Peppers	South America
500 - 0	Pimiento	South America
200 - 50	Shishito Peppers	Japan
0	Bell Pepper / Paprika	Central and South America
0	Peperone Crusco	Basilicata, Italy

Popular Chili Pepper Pairings

With Global Cuisines in the United States: Explore the vibrant world of chili peppers and their perfect pairings with global cuisines in the United States. This section jumps into the unique flavors and culinary traditions of various regions, highlighting how different chili peppers can elevate and complement dishes from around the world.

Why the United States? The phrase "in the United States" emphasizes that the chili pepper pairings are explored from the perspective of someone in the U.S., as culinary preferences and ingredient availability can vary significantly across the world.

Peppers Names	Bird's Chili, aka Thai Chili Pepper
Aleppo Pepper	Eastern European and Middle Eastern Cuisine
Bird's Chili aka Thai Chili Pepper	South East Asian Cuisine
Habanero Peppers	Caribbean Cuisine
Jalapeño peppers	Very Versatile
Serrano Pepper	East African, Indian, and Mexican Cuisine
Scotch Bonnet Pepper	West African and Caribbean Cuisine

My easy-to-read chart showcases popular chili peppers and the regional cuisines they enhance, offering a guide to adding bold, exciting flavors to your cooking. Discover new ways to use your favorite peppers and uncover fresh combinations that will transform your cooking into a global culinary adventure.

Spicy Recipes

Are you looking for spicy recipes? Check these out:

5 Tips for Handling Hot Peppers

For more tips, check out my full guide on Prepping Hot Peppers for step-by-step instructions.

1. Wear Gloves - Protect your skin when cutting or seeding hot chili peppers.
2. Wash Hands Thoroughly - Always clean your hands after handling peppers to avoid irritation.
3. Avoid Touching Your Face - Capsaicin can cause severe burning if it comes into contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth.
4. Use Separate Tools - Keep a dedicated cutting board and knife for peppers to prevent cross-contamination with other foods.
5. Ventilate Your Kitchen - Open a window or use a fan when cooking with very hot peppers, since the fumes can cause coughing or eye irritation.

Sound Like Chili Peppers but Are Not

These peppers are actually berries and, therefore, do not have Scoville units because they do not contain capsaicin. 

• Sansho Pepper (Japanese) / Chopi Pepper (Korean) - Citrusy Tingling Heat
• Tellicherry Pepper, aka Black Pepper (Native to South Asia) - Pungent Kick of Heat
• Szechuan Pepper (Chinese) - Tingling Heat

Pepper Pastes with SHU

Pepper Paste	Chili Pepper	SHU
Sambal Olek	Commonly Red Chili Peppers, Bird's Eye Chili	100,000 - 50,000
Gochujang	Cheongyang	25,000 - 10,000
Chipotle in Adobo	Chipotle (Dried Jalapenos)	8,000 -2,500
Zhug / Shug / S'kug	Unsure, but serrano and jalapenos are commonly used	8,000 - 2,000
Harissa	Baklouti Pepper	5,000 - 1,000

Health Benefits and Risks of Spicy Peppers

• Metabolism Boost - Capsaicin may help increase calorie burn and improve circulation.
• Natural Pain Relief - Studies suggest capsaicin reduces inflammation and can ease certain types of pain.
• Nutrient-Rich - Chili peppers provide vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidants that support immune health.
• Digestive Discomfort - Very spicy peppers can cause burning in the mouth, throat, or stomach.
• Caution for Sensitive Stomachs - Those with acid reflux or gastrointestinal conditions may need to avoid very high Scoville peppers or consume them in moderation.

What Helps Relieve Chili Pepper Heat from Spicy Foods?

• Dairy Products for Relief - A glass of milk, a spoonful of sour cream, or a serving of yogurt can calm chili pepper burn. These dairy foods contain casein, a protein that helps neutralize capsaicin, the compound responsible for heat.
• Acidic Foods Balance the Burn - Ingredients like lemons, limes, and tomatoes add acidity that cuts through the oil-based heat of spicy peppers, providing quick comfort.
• Sweeteners Soothe Spice - Adding a touch of sugar, honey, or sweet fruit can counteract the sharpness of chili pepper heat by balancing flavor on the palate.
• Fatty Foods Break Down Capsaicin - Consuming olive oil, peanut butter, or other healthy fats helps break down capsaicin and reduce the lingering burn in your mouth.
• Avoid Water - While it's tempting to reach for a glass of water, it actually spreads the capsaicin around your mouth, making the spicy heat from chili peppers feel worse.
• Build Tolerance Over Time - Regularly eating spicy foods helps your body adjust, making the burn from chili peppers less intense as your taste buds adapt.

Cooking Tips and Tutorials

What else do you want to learn about today?

Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of common questions I have answered. If you have any questions, please write them in the comments below.

Leave a Comment or Ask a Question

I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or experiences with the Scoville Scale and Chili Peppers. Leave a comment or question and get a response from a professionally trained chef!