Understanding chilli heat: Scoville & varieties
From mildly spicy to breathtakingly hot: the world of chillies is vast. How hot a variety is can be measured – with the Scoville scale. In this guide you will learn what is behind the Scoville values, which chilli varieties range from mild to extremely hot, and how to use the heat purposefully in the kitchen.
Responsible for the heat is the substance capsaicin – the more of it, the higher the Scoville value.
In short
- The heat is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU).
- Responsible is the active substance capsaicin, concentrated in the partition walls.
- Bell pepper has 0 SHU, hot varieties such as habanero several hundred thousand.
- Against heat in the mouth, milk/yoghurt helps, not water.
What is the Scoville scale?
The Scoville scale indicates how much capsaicin a chilli contains – measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The value ranges from 0 (bell pepper) to over 2 million SHU for the hottest breeds. The capsaicin sits mainly in the white partition walls (placenta) around the seeds.
Varieties and their heat
| Variety | Scoville (approx.) | Heat |
|---|---|---|
| Bell pepper | 0 | mild |
| Peperoncini | 100–500 | very mild |
| Jalapeño | 2,500–8,000 | medium |
| Cayenne | 30,000–50,000 | hot |
| Habanero | 100,000–350,000 | very hot |
| Carolina Reaper | over 1,500,000 | extreme |
What influences the heat?
Besides the variety, the growing conditions also play a role: drought stress, plenty of sun and a warm location increase the capsaicin content. Fully ripe (red) fruits are usually hotter than unripe green ones. So even within a variety the heat can vary.
Frequently asked questions
What helps against too much heat in the mouth?
Fatty things such as milk, yoghurt or cream bind the capsaicin – water only spreads it.
Can I reduce the heat when cooking?
Yes, by removing the hot partition walls and seeds.
Tip
Wear gloves when processing very hot chillies and do not touch your eyes – the capsaicin burns on the skin and mucous membranes for a long time.
Caution
Do not underestimate super-hot varieties: habanero and hotter can strongly irritate skin and eyes – when in doubt, dose carefully.
Whether mild or fiery – with us you will find pepper and chilli young plants for every taste, strongly pre-grown.