Scoville Scale Chart of Spicy Peppers: Heat Levels, Flavors & Uses

Introduction to Spicy Peppers Chart

This comprehensive chart details the Scoville Heat Units (SHU) of 20+ popular spicy peppers, including flavor profiles and common culinary uses. Whether you're a home cook or a chili enthusiast, this reference helps you choose the right pepper for your dish.

Understanding the Scoville Scale

The Scoville Scale measures pepper heat intensity based on capsaicin concentration. Higher SHU values indicate greater spiciness. Modern testing uses HPLC for accuracy, though the scale remains a practical tool for comparing pepper heat levels.

Pepper Name	Heat Level (SHU)	Flavor Profile	Common Uses
Bell Pepper	0	Sweet, crisp, and refreshing	Salads, stir-fries, stuffed dishes
Poblano	1,000–2,000	Earthy, mild, slightly sweet	Chiles Rellenos, moles, roasting
Pepperoncini	100–500	Tangy, slightly bitter, mild heat	Pickling, salads, sandwiches
Anaheim	500–2,500	Fruity, grassy, moderately mild	Southwestern dishes, green chile sauce
Jalapeño	2,500–8,000	Mildly spicy with a fresh, grassy flavor	Guacamole, salsa, stuffed peppers
Fresno	2,500–10,000	Bright, slightly sweet, similar to jalapeño	Salsas, sauces, garnishes
Serrano	10,000–23,000	Sharp and tangy, with a slight citrus note	Hot sauces, salsas, pickling
Thai Bird's Eye	50,000–100,000	Intense, floral, and citrusy heat	Thai curries, stir-fries, dipping sauces
Cayenne	30,000–50,000	Strong, pungent, and slightly sweet	Powdered seasoning, chili pastes, stews
Tabasco	30,000–50,000	Vinegary, tangy, bright heat	Hot sauces, marinades, cocktails
Malagueta	60,000–100,000	Grassy, citrusy, intensely spicy	Brazilian and African cuisine, sauces
Habanero	100,000–350,000	Smoky, fruity, and very spicy	Hot sauces, marinades, desserts
Scotch Bonnet	100,000–350,000	Sweet, tropical, intensely hot	Caribbean jerk sauces, stews
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion	800,000–2,000,000	Fruity upfront with brutal delayed heat	Extreme hot sauces, challenges
Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper)	800,000–1,041,456	Intense heat with a sweet, smoky finish	Extreme chili recipes, challenge foods
Naga Viper	1,000,000–1,400,000	Complex fruit notes with searing heat	Specialty sauces, culinary challenges
Carolina Reaper	1,400,000–2,200,000	Extremely hot with a fruit-forward aroma	Chili challenges, specialty sauces
7 Pot Douglah	900,000–1,800,000	Chocolatey undertones, explosive heat	Caribbean hot sauces, extreme cooking
Dragon's Breath	2,480,000+ (unofficial)	Sweet initially, then overwhelming heat	Medical research, novelty challenges
Pepper X	3,180,000 (verified)	Nutty, slightly sweet before extreme heat	Record-breaking challenges, extracts

Conclusion

Understanding pepper heat levels is key to enhancing your culinary creations. Use this chart to confidently select peppers that match your desired spice level and flavor profile.