If you’re a hot sauce lover, you’ve probably heard of the famed Scoville scale . This heat measurement system helps spicy food lovers understand just how hot a pepper and/or hot sauce really is. It also gives us a handy comparison tool to distinguish between hot sauces and peppers. But what exactly is the Scoville scale and how does it work? Let’s take a quick look at the history, science, and ranking based on Scoville Heat Units (SHU).
What is the Scoville Scale?
The Scoville scale is a unique measurement system used to rate the spiciness of chili peppers and hot sauces. It was developed in 1912 by Wilbur Scoville, an American hero/pharmacist. The scale measures the concentration of capsaicinoids, the chemical compounds responsible for heat, which are mainly capsaicin.
The unit of measurement on this scale is called Scoville Heat Units (SHU) . The more capsaicin a pepper or hot sauce contains, the higher the SHU value.
By the way, Wilbur Scoville was one of the first scientists to propose milk as a counter to the typical burning sensation of capsaicin.
Why does hot sauce burn?
So the burning sensation from hot sauce is caused by capsaicin , which binds to neuroreceptors in your mouth and throat. These receptors are normally activated by heat, tricking your brain into thinking you’re burning—even without any actual temperature change. So it’s a myth that spiciness has an impact on your taste buds.
Why do people love hot sauce , despite the burning sensation? Scientists suggest several reasons:
- The “Heat High” – Capsaicin triggers endorphins, which give a feeling of euphoria.
- Increased metabolism – Spicy food temporarily boosts metabolism and fat burning.
- Flavor Enhancement – The right amount of spiciness enhances the flavor of food without overpowering it.
How does the Scoville scale work?
Originally, Scoville used a dilution test . A pepper extract was mixed with sugar water and subjects had to test the mixture until they could no longer detect the heat. The number of dilutions required determined the SHU value. For example, if a pepper had an SHU of 50,000 , that meant the extract had to be diluted 50,000 times before the heat was no longer noticeable. That meant a lot of tasting for the subjects.
The Achilles heel of the Scoville scale is therefore immediately clear. There is still a lot of room for individual variation due to personal differences and tolerance.
Today, the process is more precise thanks to High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) , which measures the exact amount of capsaicin in peppers and hot sauces.
The Scoville Scale: Ranking Peppers and Hot Sauces
Curious about how certain peppers score on the Scoville scale? We highlight a few for you.
Mild peppers (0 - 2,500 SHU)
- Bell pepper – 0 SHU (No heat!)
- Poblano pepper – 1,000 - 2,000 SHU
Medium spicy peppers (2,500 - 50,000 SHU)
- Jalapeño pepper – 2,500 - 8,000 SHU
- Serrano pepper – 10,000 - 23,000 SHU
- Cayenne Pepper – 30,000 - 50,000 SHU
Hot peppers (50,000 - 350,000 SHU)
- Thai Chili Pepper – 50,000 - 100,000 SHU
- Scotch Bonnet – 100,000 - 350,000 SHU
- Habanero Pepper – 100,000 – 375,000 SHU (may be more depending on variety)
Out-of-body experience peppers (350,000 - 2,200,000+ SHU)
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) – average 1,041,427 SHU
- Carolina Reaper – 1,641,183 - 2,200,000 SHU
- Pepper X - average 2,693,000 SHU (the hottest pepper on earth!)
Where do hot sauces rank on the Scoville scale?
Now, what about hot sauces? Most sauces are a combination of different ingredients and peppers, giving each sauce a unique Scoville rating. Depending on the contents and the peppers, you can get a handle on how spicy a particular hot sauce can be.
Below we list some well-known ones and some from our range:
- Tabasco – 2,500 - 5,000 SHU
- Sriracha – 2,200 SHU
- Hot Ones - The Classic - 1,800 SHU
- Queen Majesty Red Habanero & Coffee - 14,000 SHU
- Piko Peppers Piko Riko Hot Sauce - 15,500 SHU
- Bravado Spice Co. Ghost Pepper & Blueberry – 28,000 SHU
- Bravado Spice Co. Black Garlic Reaper - 71,000 SHU
- Da Bomb - Beyond Insanity - 135,600 SHU
- Fresno Sauce Arbol Scorpion Hot Sauce - 820,000 SHU
- The Last Dab XXX - 2,000,000+ SHU
- The Last Dab Apollo - 2,500,000+ SHU
What if I get overwhelmed by Scoville Units?
If you’ve eaten more heat than you can handle, don’t reach for the water ! Capsaicin is oil-soluble , meaning water will only help disperse the heat. Instead, try:
- Milk or dairy products – The protein casein in dairy helps break down capsaicin. Whole milk is better than skim milk in this regard.
- Bread or rice – These foods can absorb some of the heat.
- Sugar or honey – Sweetness can neutralize the spiciness.
Conclusion
The Scoville scale is a handy guide to understanding the spiciness levels of chili peppers and hot sauces. Whether you like your sauces mild or are an extreme heat seeker, knowing the SHU values will help you find the perfect sauce for your taste preferences.
Want to discover some of our hottest hot sauces? Then check out our collection of fiery sauces and give your taste buds an intense adventure! 🔥