Hot peppers

How hot is hot?
A simple (yet tasty) introduction to the hot stuff

What makes peppers so hot?

The substance in peppers that makes them spicy is called capsaicin. It is concentrated in the veins of the fruit (not the seeds) and stimulates the nerve endings in your mouth, fooling your brain into thinking you're in pain. The brain responds by releasing substances called endorphins, which are similar in structure to morphine. A mild euphoria results, and hot peppers can be mildly addictive because of this hot pepper "high".

What are Scoville Units?

A pharmacist named Wilbur Scoville invented the Scoville Scale in 1912 to measure the heat of peppers. A "Scoville Unit" is actually a measure of capsaicin (the chemical in hot peppers that is responsible for their heat).

Scoville's test was a comparative taste test that is considered subjective by today's standards. A more sophisticated method is in use today, but in honor of Wilbur Scoville, the unit of measure is still called the Scoville.

The capsaicin level in peppers can vary from plant to plant due to local environmental conditions. This means that a pepper's rating is an average measure.

What is the hottest pepper?

The hottest pepper on record is the Habanero/Scotch Bonnet. Some claim it is one variety, while others claim that the Habanero and Scotch Bonnet are slightly different varieties. Habanero Peppers are rated at 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville units. By contrast, the Serrano Pepper comes in at about 5,000 to 15,000 Scoville units.

Pepper Heat Scale.

Changing local weather conditions affect the heat level of peppers - which means the Scoville ratings shown below are averages. Some peppers are listed in two different cateogory ranges due to the variation.

100,000-350,000 Habanero; Scotch Bonnet
50,000-100,000 Chiltepin; Cayenne; Tabasco
30,000-50,000 Aji; Piquin; Tabasco
15,000-30,000 de Arbol
5,000-15,000 Serrano; Early jalapeno; Aji Amarillo
2,500-5,000 jalapeno; Mirasol
1,500-2,500 Sandia; cascabel; Yellow Wax Hot
1,000-1,500 Ancho; Pasilla
500-1,000 Anaheim; New Mexican
100-500 Bell; Pimento

FYI: TABASCO® Brand Pepper Sauce rates 2500-5000 Scoville Heat Units

Want to know more about the Scoville scale, who invented the Scoville scale, and how does it work? >>

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