The Scoville Scale Explained: Your Complete Guide to Measuring Heat

If you've ever wondered why some hot sauces make you sweat while others barely register, you're not alone. The Scoville Scale is the universal measurement system that tells you exactly how hot a pepper or hot sauce really is—and understanding it is the key to finding your perfect heat level.

Whether you're a heat-seeking veteran or just starting your spicy journey, this guide will help you navigate the Scoville Scale with confidence and discover which peppers (and hot sauces) match your tolerance.

What Is the Scoville Scale?

The Scoville Scale measures the concentration of capsaicin—the chemical compound responsible for the burning sensation in peppers. Developed in 1912 by pharmacist Wilbur Scoville, the scale assigns Scoville Heat Units (SHU) to peppers based on how much sugar water is needed to dilute the heat until it's no longer detectable.

Today, modern testing uses high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for precision, but the SHU rating system remains the gold standard for measuring heat.

How the Scoville Scale Works

The scale ranges from 0 SHU (bell peppers, no heat) to over 3 million SHU (ultra-rare superhot peppers like Pepper X). Here's how the tiers break down:

  • 0–1,000 SHU: Mild (bell peppers, pimentos)
  • 1,000–10,000 SHU: Medium (jalapeños, poblanos)
  • 10,000–100,000 SHU: Hot (serranos, cayenne)
  • 100,000–350,000 SHU: Very Hot (habaneros, Scotch bonnets)
  • 350,000–1,000,000 SHU: Extreme (ghost peppers, 7 Pot)
  • 1,000,000+ SHU: Superhot (Carolina Reaper, Chocolate Primotalii, Pepper X)

Popular Peppers and Their Scoville Ratings

Mild to Medium Heat (0–10,000 SHU)

  • Bell Pepper: 0 SHU
  • Banana Pepper: 0–500 SHU
  • Poblano: 1,000–2,000 SHU
  • Jalapeño: 2,500–8,000 SHU – Perfect for approachable heat like our Jalapeño Hot Sauce

Hot (10,000–100,000 SHU)

Very Hot (100,000–350,000 SHU)

Extreme to Superhot (350,000+ SHU)

  • Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia): 800,000–1,041,427 SHU – Experience it in Ghost Blood or Coconut Ghost Pepper
  • Chocolate Primotalii: 1,500,000–2,000,000 SHU – One of the rarest and hottest peppers on earth, featured in our Chocolate Primotalii Hot Sauce
  • Carolina Reaper: 1,400,000–2,200,000 SHU
  • Pepper X: 2,693,000+ SHU (current world record holder)

How to Use the Scoville Scale to Build Your Tolerance

If you're new to spicy food, don't jump straight to superhots. Start with jalapeño-level heat (2,500–8,000 SHU) and gradually work your way up. Your capsaicin receptors will adapt over time, making higher heat levels more enjoyable.

Pro tip: Pair heat with flavor. The best hot sauces balance Scoville ratings with ingredients like mango, pineapple, chocolate, or rum to create complexity beyond just burn.

Why Scoville Ratings Matter for Hot Sauce Lovers

Knowing the Scoville rating helps you:

  • Choose the right sauce for your tolerance – No more guessing or getting burned by surprise heat
  • Pair heat with food – Mild sauces for eggs, extreme heat for wings and tacos
  • Challenge yourself safely – Gradually increase SHU to expand your palate
  • Appreciate craft and complexity – Premium sauces balance heat with flavor, not just capsaicin overload

Ready to Explore the Scoville Scale?

Now that you understand how heat is measured, it's time to taste the spectrum. Whether you're craving mild jalapeño warmth, tropical habanero fire, or extreme ghost pepper intensity, we've crafted small-batch sauces across every tier of the Scoville Scale.

Start your heat journey:

Shop All Hot Sauces by Heat Level →

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