Hot Chili Peppers – Capsaicin Heat Ranges
A Guide to the use and Spiciness Ratings of Chili Peppers
Jul 14, 2009
Most chili peppers have a natural substance called capsaicin that reacts with the natural heat sensors in the tongue. Various types of chili peppers have varying amounts of capsaicin. The more capsaicin that a chili pepper has the more intense the heat derived from the chili pepper. As an example, pepper spray is made primarily made from capsaicin to give it an intense burning sensation.
Chili peppers can be found through out the world. Many nations cuisine is associated with the chili peppers, particularly Mexican, South American, Indian and many Asian cuisines. Chili peppers can be used fresh, dried, flaked or powdered. Chili peppers can be added to a dish in any form while cooking or added after the dish is cooked. They can also be infused into sauces, typically known as hot sauce.
The Hottest of all Chili Peppers
According to the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007, the hottest chili pepper is the Naga Jolokia found in Northeast India. Translated Naga Jolokia means King Cobra Chili and is also known as the Ghost Chili. The Naga Jolokia is so hot that one seed can cause intense pain for up to 30 minutes. Extreme caution should be used when cooking with the Naga Jolokia. As an example the Naga Jolokia is more than 200 times hotter than the Jalapeno Chili Pepper.
Chili Pepper Heat Range by the Scoville Scale
The Scoville Scale is a measure of peppers hotness as measured by the amount of capsaicinoids (capsaicin) in a particular pepper. Keep in mind that these figures are averages and can vary, The Red Savina has been measured as high as 575,000 Scoville units and as low as 200,000. As a measurement tool pure capsaicin is about 15,000,000 units and police grade pepper spray is about 5,000,000.
- Naga Jolokia 950,000
- Red Savina 465,000
- Habanero Chili 250,000
- Scotch Bonnet Pepper 225,000
- Rocoto 225,000
- Madame Jeanette 225,000
- Jamaican Hot Pepper 200,000
- Datil Pepper 200,000
- African Birdseye 150,000
- Thai Pepper 100,000
- Malagueta Pepper 80,000
- Chiltepin Pepper 75,000
- Pequin Pepper 45,000
- Cayenne Pepper 40,000
- Aji Pepper 40,000
- Tabasco Pepper 40,000
- Chipotle Pepper 10,000 to 30,000*
- Serrano Pepper 23,000
- Jalapeno Pepper 6,000
- Guajillo Pepper 3,750
- Anaheim Pepper (New Mexican Variety) 4,750
- Rocotillo Pepper 2,000
- Poblano Pepper 2,000
- Ancho Pepper 2,000
- Anaheim Pepper 1,500
- Coronado Pepper 1,000
- Pepperoncini Pepper 500
- Pimento Pepper 500
- Bell Pepper 0
The Many Uses of Chili Peppers
Besides being used in cooking and garnishments, there are many other uses for chili peppers. Throughout the world chili peppers have been used for medicinal purposes. They are used as a pain remedy for such ailments as arthritis and headaches. Chili peppers are also used as color decorations and in some areas of India are used to ward off evil spirits.
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