Heat Level Categories

Heat Level Categories

Mild (0–2,500 SHU)

 

Varieties: Anaheim, Padron, Sweet Banana, Mild Paprika, Paprika (regular), Italian Long Sweet, Pimento Espelette

Typical Scoville: 0–2,500

Flavour Highlights: Sweet, smoky, peppery. Great for stuffing and roasting.

Medium (2,500–30,000 SHU)

 

Varieties: Jalapeño, Bishop's Crown, Guajillo, Aji Lemon, Aji Pineapple, Orange Aji, Portugal, Cabe Besar Landung

Typical Scoville: 5,000–30,000

Flavour Highlights: Fresh, fruity, citrusy, slightly earthy. Good all-round cooking peppers.

Hot (30,000–100,000 SHU)

 

Varieties: Cayenne, Long Cayenne, Yellow Cayenne, Bulgarian Carrot, Rainbow Thai, Bird's Eye, Malawi Bird, Zimbabwe, Bangalore Whippet, Korean

Typical Scoville: 30,000–100,000

Flavour Highlights: Sharp, spicy, clean burn; ideal for stir fries, curries, sauces.

Very Hot (100,000–350,000 SHU)

 

Varieties: Habanero (Sweet, White, Mustard, Tasmanian, Red, Yellow Jelly), Scotch Bonnet, Fatalii Yellow

Typical Scoville: 100,000–350,000

Flavour Highlights: Fruity, floral, tropical heat; classic hot sauce and Caribbean-style peppers.

Superhot (800,000–2,000,000+ SHU)

 

Varieties: Carolina Reaper, Purple Bhut Jolokia, Scorpion Moruga, Yellow Super Bhut, Explosive Embers, Black Cobra

Typical Scoville: 800,000–2,200,000

Flavour Highlights: Insane heat, floral and smoky undertones. Cult favourites for extreme sauce makers.