What Is the Scoville Scale?
The Scoville Scale is a widely used way to compare the heat of chili peppers and spicy foods in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). It originated with pharmacist Wilbur Scoville in 1912. Today, Scoville ratings are commonly tied to the amount of heat-producing capsaicinoids in a pepper or product, so higher SHU numbers indicate greater potential heat.
Lagniappe Flavors is a Louisiana-rooted retailer and curator building America’s Digital Farmers Market featuring regional foods, pantry goods, gifts, specialty finds, and products from independent American makers. Hot sauce is one part of that wider assortment, and this guide is here to help you compare pepper heat before you shop.
Scoville ratings are useful reference points, but the experience of heat can vary by pepper variety, recipe, concentration, serving size, and individual tolerance. For a specific sauce, also check the maker's ingredients and heat notes on the product page.
Scoville Heat Chart
| Scoville Heat Units (SHU) | Examples |
|---|---|
| 0 | Bell pepper, Peperone crusco (Crusco pepper) |
| 0 – 500 | Pimiento, Cherry pepper |
| 500 – 1,000 | Beaver Dam pepper, Cubanelle (Cuban pepper, Italian frying pepper) |
| 1,000 – 2,500 | Poblano pepper (Ancho, Chile ancho) |
| 2,500 – 10,000 | Guajillo chili, Jalapeño pepper |
| 10,000 – 25,000 | Aleppo pepper, Cheongyang chili pepper, Serrano pepper |
| 25,000 – 50,000 | Cayenne pepper, Tabasco pepper |
| 50,000 – 100,000 | Malagueta pepper, Thai chili pepper (Bird's eye chili) |
| 100,000 – 350,000 | Habanero chili, Scotch bonnet pepper |
| 350,000 – 750,000 | Red savina habanero |
| 750,000 – 1,500,000 | Ghost pepper, Infinity chili, Naga Viper pepper, Trinidad Moruga Scorpion |
| 1,500,000 – 2,500,000 | Carolina Reaper |
| 2,693,000+ | Pepper X |
🌿 Mild (0 – 2,500 SHU)
At the bottom of the scale are bell peppers with 0 SHU — all flavor, no heat. Pimiento and Cherry peppers (0–500 SHU) add a gentle warmth. Between 500–2,500 SHU, Cubanelle and Beaver Dam offer a hint of spice, while Poblano (Ancho) peppers bring rich, smoky depth.
🌶️ Medium (2,500 – 25,000 SHU)
The Jalapeño (2,500–8,000 SHU) is the gateway pepper for many spice lovers — approachable, versatile, and familiar. Serrano and Cheongyang peppers push the upper end of this range with a sharper, brighter bite.
🌶️🌶️ Hot (25,000 – 100,000 SHU)
Cayenne and Tabasco peppers generally sit in the 25,000–50,000 SHU range and deliver noticeable, lingering heat. Thai chili (Bird's eye) and Malagueta peppers can climb higher with a clean, fiery character.
🔥 Very Hot (100,000 – 750,000 SHU)
Habanero and Scotch bonnet peppers combine intense heat with distinctive fruity and tropical flavor. The Red Savina Habanero can reach substantially higher levels within this range.
💀 Superhot (750,000 – 2,693,000+ SHU)
The Ghost pepper, Infinity chili, Naga Viper, and Trinidad Moruga Scorpion sit among the superhot peppers. Carolina Reaper and Pepper X sit at the extreme end of the scale and are used in some of the hottest sauces and pepper products.
Explore Hot Sauce by Heat Level
Hot sauce is one part of the wider Lagniappe Flavors digital farmers market. Our assortment includes mild table sauces, smoky and savory blends, fruit-forward heat, and superhot bottles from independent American makers.
Use the Scoville Scale as a starting point, then check each product page for the maker's heat description, ingredients, and suggested uses. You can also keep exploring the rest of our regional foods, pantry goods, gifts, and specialty finds along the way — that is the Lagniappe idea: a little something extra.