The Hot Pepper List: 170+ Chilies Profiled (2025)

Heat	Image	Hot Pepper	Min SHU	Max SHU	Median SHU	JalRP	JalRP Times Hotter/Milder	Type	Origin	Use	Flavor
Super Hot		Apollo Pepper	3,000,000	3,000,000	3,000,000	571	389 to 1,272	chinense	United States	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Earthy
Mild		Bell Pepper	0	0	0	0.00	-8,000 to -2,500	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Bright, Sweet
Mild		Gypsy Pepper	0	0	0	0.00	-8,000 to -2,500	annuum	United States	Culinary	Sweet, Floral
Mild		Purple Beauty Pepper	0	0	0	0.00	-8,000 to -2,500	annuum	South America	Culinary	Sweet
Mild		Melrose Pepper	0	0	0	0.00	-8,000 to -2,500	annuum	United States	Culinary	Sweet
Mild		Carmen Pepper	0	0	0	0.00	-8,000 to -2,500	annuum	Italy	Culinary	Sweet
Mild		California Wonder Pepper	0	0	0	0.00	-8,000 to -2,500	annuum	United States	Culinary	Bitter, Sweet
Mild		Peperone di Senise	0	0	0	0.00	-8,000 to -2,500	annuum	Italy	Culinary	Sweet, Nutty, Smoky
Mild		Fushimi Pepper	0	0	0	0.00	-8,000 to -2,500	annuum	Japan	Culinary	Sweet
Mild		Tangerine Dream Pepper	0	100	50	0.01	-8,000 to -250	annuum	United States	Ornamental	Sweet
Mild		Chilly Chili	1	100	51	0.01	-8,000 to -2	annuum	United States	Ornamental	Neutral
Mild		Shishito Pepper	50	200	125	0.02	-160 to -13	annuum	Japan	Culinary	Sweet, Grassy, Citrusy, Smoky
Mild		Trinidad Perfume	0	500	250	0.05	-8,000 to -5	chinense	Caribbean	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Citrusy, Tropical
Mild		Banana Pepper	0	500	250	0.05	-8,000 to -5	annuum	South America	Culinary	Sweet, Tangy
Mild		Pepperoncini	100	500	300	0.06	-80 to -5	annuum	Italy	Culinary	Sweet, Tangy
Mild		Pimento Pepper	100	500	300	0.06	-80 to -5	annuum	Unknown	Culinary	Sweet
Mild		Mariachi Pepper	500	600	550	0.10	-13 to -5	annuum	United States	Culinary	Sweet
Mild		Santa Fe Grande Pepper	500	700	600	0.11	-16 to -3	annuum	United States	Culinary	Sweet, Smoky
Mild		Holy Mole Pepper	700	800	750	0.14	-10 to -3	annuum	United States	Culinary	Nutty, Tangy
Mild		Aji Dulce	0	1,000	500	0.10	-8,000 to -3	chinense	Caribbean	Culinary	Sweet, Smoky, Peppery
Mild		Medusa Pepper	1	1,000	501	0.10	-8000 to -3	annuum	Mexico	Ornamental	Sweet
Mild		Mexibell Pepper	100	1,000	550	0.10	-80 to -3	annuum	United States	Culinary	Sweet
Mild		Italian Long Hot Pepper	100	1,000	550	0.10	-80 to -3	annuum	Italy	Culinary	Sweet
Mild		Cubanelle Pepper	100	1,000	550	0.10	-80 to -3	annuum	Italy	Culinary	Sweet
Mild		Piquillo Pepper	500	1,000	750	0.14	-16 to -3	annuum	Spain	Culinary	Sweet, Smoky, Tart
Mild		Beaver Dam Pepper	500	1,000	750	0.14	-16 to -3	annuum	United States	Culinary	Sweet
Mild		Peppadew Pepper	1,100	1,200	1,150	0.22	-7 to -2	baccatum	Africa	Culinary	Sweet
Mild		Aji Panca	1,000	1,500	1,250	0.24	-8 to -2	baccatum	Peru	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Smoky
Mild		Ancho Pepper	1,000	1,500	1,250	0.24	-8 to -2	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Sweet, Smoky, Earthy
Mild		Poblano Pepper	1,000	1,500	1,250	0.24	-8 to -2	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Earthy
Mild		Kashmiri Chili	1,000	2,000	1,500	0.29	-8 to 0	annuum	India	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Mild		Guindilla Pepper	1,000	2,000	1,500	0.29	-8 to 0	annuum	Spain	Culinary	Sweet
Mild		Padron Pepper	500	2,500	1,500	0.29	-16 to 0	annuum	Spain	Culinary	Earthy, Nutty, Sweet
Mild		Anaheim Pepper	500	2,500	1,500	0.29	-16 to 0	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Fruity, Sweet
Mild		Chilaca Pepper	1,000	2,500	1,750	0.33	-8 to 0	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Sweet, Floral
Mild		Pasilla Pepper	1,000	2,500	1,750	0.33	-8 to 0	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Earthy
Mild		Rocotillo Pepper	1,500	2,500	2,000	0.38	-5 to 0	baccatum	Peru	Culinary	Sweet, Tropical
Mild		Cascabel Pepper	1,000	3,000	2,000	0.38	-8 to 0	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Earthy, Nutty
Medium		Mulato Pepper	2,500	3,000	2,750	0.52	-3 to 0	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Smoky, Sweet, Earthy
Medium		NuMex Big Jim	2,500	3,000	2,750	0.52	-3 to 0	annuum	United States	Culinary	Bright, Sweet
Medium		Cajun Belle Pepper	500	4,000	2,250	0.43	-16 to 0	annuum	United States	Culinary	Sweet
Medium		Espelette Pepper	500	4,000	2,250	0.43	-16 to 0	annuum	France	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Smoky
Medium		NuMex Centennial	1,000	5,000	3,000	0.57	-5 to 0	annuum	United States	Ornamental	Bitter, Bright
Medium		Sangria Pepper	1,000	5,000	3,000	0.57	-5 to 0	annuum	Unknown	Ornamental	Neutral
Medium		Cherry Bomb Pepper	2,500	5,000	3,750	0.71	0	annuum	United States	Culinary	Sweet
Medium		Cowhorn Pepper	2,500	5,000	3,750	0.71	0	annuum	South America	Culinary	Sweet
Medium		Guajillo Pepper	2,500	5,000	3,750	0.71	0	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Tangy, Crisp, Smoky
Medium		Jalafuego Pepper	4,000	6,000	5,000	0.95	0	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Bright, Grassy
Medium		Chimayo Pepper	4,000	6,000	5,000	0.95	0	annuum	United States	Culinary	Smoky, Earthy
Medium		Sandia Pepper	5,000	7,000	6,000	1.14	0	annuum	United States	Culinary	Sweet
Medium		Hatch Pepper	1,000	8,000	4,500	0.86	-3 to 0	annuum	United States	Culinary	Buttery, Earthy
Medium		Jalapeño Pepper	2,500	8,000	5,250	1.00	0	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Bright, Grassy
Medium		Purple Jalapeño Pepper	2,500	8,000	5,250	1.00	0	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Bright, Sweet
Medium		Puya Pepper	5,000	8,000	6,500	1.24	0	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Bitter
Medium		Pretty in Purple Pepper	4,000	8,000	6,000	1.14	0	annuum	United States	Ornamental	Neutral
Medium		Fresno Pepper	2,500	10,000	6,250	1.19	0	annuum	United States	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Smoky
Medium		Hungarian Wax Pepper	5,000	10,000	7,500	1.43	0 to 4	annuum	Hungary	Culinary	Sweet, Tangy
Medium		Black Hungarian Pepper	5,000	10,000	7,500	1.43	0 to 4	annuum	Hungary	Culinary	Sweet
Medium		Aleppo Pepper	10,000	10,000	10,000	1.90	0 to 4	annuum	Syria	Culinary	Bright, Tart, Earthy, Salty
Medium		Peter Pepper	10,000	23,000	16,500	3.14	0 to 9	annuum	United States	Culinary	Bright, Sweet
Medium		Serrano Pepper	10,000	23,000	16,500	3.14	0 to 9	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Bright, Grassy
Medium		Sport Pepper	10,000	23,000	16,500	3.14	0 to 9	annuum	United States	Culinary	Neutral, Tangy
Medium		Bishop's Crown Pepper	5,000	30,000	17,500	3.33	0 to 12	baccatum	South America	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Medium		Hinkelhatz Pepper	5,000	30,000	17,500	3.33	0 to 12	annuum	United States	Culinary	Neutral
Medium		Royal Black Pepper	5,000	30,000	17,500	3.33	0 to 12	annuum	Unknown	Ornamental	Neutral
Medium		Black Prince Pepper	5,000	30,000	17,500	3.33	0 to 12	annuum	Mexico	Ornamental	Neutral
Medium		Count Dracula Pepper	5,000	30,000	17,500	3.33	0 to 12	annuum	Unknown	Ornamental	Neutral
Medium		Bulgarian Carrot Pepper	5,000	30,000	17,500	3.33	0 to 12	annuum	Bulgaria	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Crisp
Medium		Fish Pepper	5,000	30,000	17,500	3.33	0 to 12	annuum	United States	Culinary	Bright
Medium		Bolivian Rainbow Pepper	10,000	30,000	20,000	3.81	4 to 12	annuum	Bolivia	Ornamental	Neutral
Medium		Black Pearl Pepper	10,000	30,000	20,000	3.81	4 to 12	annuum	United States	Ornamental	Sweet, Citrusy
Medium		Manzano Pepper	12,000	30,000	21,000	4.00	2 to 12	pubescens	South America	Culinary	Sweet, Citrusy
Medium		Japones Pepper	15,000	30,000	22,500	4.29	2 to 12	annuum	Japan	Culinary	Neutral
Medium		Lemon Drop Pepper	15,000	30,000	22,500	4.29	2 to 12	baccatum	Peru	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Citrusy
Medium		Chile De Arbol	15,000	30,000	22,500	4.29	2 to 12	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Nutty, Smoky
Medium		Jwala Pepper	20,000	30,000	25,000	4.76	3 to 12	annuum	India	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Medium		Inca Red Drop Pepper	10,000	30,000	20,000	3.81	2 to 12	baccatum	Peru	Ornamental	Fruity, Sweet
Medium		Aji Colorado	20,000	30,000	25,000	4.76	3 to 12	baccatum	Peru	Culinary	Fruity, Sweet
Medium		Aji Pineapple	20,000	30,000	25,000	4.76	3 to 12	baccatum	Peru	Culinary	Fruity, Sweet, Tropical
Medium		Little Elf Pepper	20,000	30,000	25,000	4.76	3 to 12	annuum	Hungary	Ornamental	Earthy
Medium		Bod'e Pepper	30,000	32,000	31,000	5.90	4 to 13	chinense	Brazil	Culinary	Fruity, Sweet, Smoky
Medium		Black Cobra Pepper	20,000	40,000	30,000	5.71	3 to 16	annuum	South America	Ornamental	Neutral, Bitter
Medium		NuMex Twilight	30,000	50,000	40,000	7.62	4 to 20	annuum	United States	Ornamental	Salty, Bitter, Bright
Medium		Rooster Spur Pepper	30,000	50,000	40,000	7.62	4 to 20	annuum	United States	Ornamental	Peppery
Medium		Explosive Ember Pepper	30,000	50,000	40,000	7.62	4 to 20	annuum	Unknown	Ornamental	Sweet
Medium		Filius Blue Pepper	30,000	50,000	40,000	7.62	4 to 20	annuum	Mexico	Ornamental	Neutral
Medium		Aurora Pepper	30,000	50,000	40,000	7.62	4 to 20	annuum	Mexico	Ornamental	Neutral
Medium		Aji Amarillo	30,000	50,000	40,000	7.62	4 to 20	baccatum	Peru	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Tropical, Bright
Medium		Aji Charapita	30,000	50,000	40,000	7.62	4 to 20	chinense	Peru	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Medium		Aji Omnicolor	30,000	50,000	40,000	7.62	4 to 20	baccatum	Peru	Ornamental	Fruity, Sweet
Medium		Tabasco Pepper	30,000	50,000	40,000	7.62	4 to 20	frutescens	Mexico	Culinary	Sweet, Smoky, Fruity
Medium		Cayenne Pepper	30,000	50,000	40,000	7.62	4 to 20	annuum	French Guiana	Culinary	Neutral
Medium		Super Chili Pepper	40,000	50,000	45,000	8.57	5 to 20	annuum	United States	Ornamental	Neutral
Medium		Satan's Kiss Pepper	40,000	50,000	45,000	8.57	5 to 25	annuum	Italy	Culinary	Neutral
Medium		Buena Mulata Pepper	30,000	50,000	40,000	7.62	4 to 20	Annuum	United States	Ornamental	Sweet
Hot		Black Cuban Pepper	40,000	58,000	49,000	9.33	5 to 23	annuum	Cuba	Ornamental	Neutral
Hot		Pequin Pepper	40,000	60,000	50,000	9.52	5 to 24	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Smoky, Fruity
Hot		Dundicut Pepper	55,000	65,000	60,000	11.43	7 to 26	annuum	Pakistan	Culinary	Fruity, Earthy
Hot		Calico Pepper	50,000	70,000	60,000	11.43	6 to 28	annuum	Mexico	Ornamental	Neutral
Hot		Tien Tsin Pepper	50,000	75,000	62,500	11.90	6 to 30	annuum	China	Culinary	Neutral
Hot		Cheiro Roxa	60,000	80,000	70,000	13.33	8 to 32	chinense	Brazil	Culinary	Fruity, Sweet, Bitter
Hot		Prairie Fire Pepper	70,000	80,000	75,000	14.29	9 to 32	annuum	Mexico	Ornamental	Fruity, Tangy
Hot		Rocoto Pepper	30,000	100,000	65,000	12.38	4 to 40	pubescens	South America	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Grassy
Hot		Malagueta Pepper	50,000	100,000	75,000	14.29	6 to 40	frutescens	Brazil	Culinary	Sweet, Tangy
Hot		Byadgi Chili	50,000	100,000	75,000	14.29	6 to 40	annuum	India	Culinary	Sweet
Hot		Chiltepin Pepper	50,000	100,000	75,000	14.29	6 to 40	annuum	United States	Culinary	Smoky, Earthy
Hot		Thai Pepper	50,000	100,000	75,000	14.29	6 to 40	annuum	Thailand	Culinary	Fruity
Hot		Charleston Hot Pepper	70,000	100,000	85,000	16.19	9 to 40	annuum	United States	Culinary	Neutral
Hot		Siling Labuyo	80,000	100,000	90,000	17.14	10 to 40	frutescens	Phillipines	Culinary	Neutral
Hot		Apache Pepper	80,000	100,000	90,000	17.14	10 to 40	annuum	Unknown	Culinary	Sweet
Hot		Peri-Peri Pepper	50,000	100,000	75,000	14.29	6 to 40	frutescens	Africa	Culinary	Smoky, Sweet
Extra Hot		Datil Pepper	100,000	300,000	200,000	38.10	12 to 120	chinense	United States	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Tropical
Extra Hot		Cumari do Para	50,000	300,000	175,000	33.33	6 to 120	chinense	Brazil	Culinary	Fruity, Sweet, Tropical
Extra Hot		Madame Jeanette Pepper	125,000	325,000	225,000	42.86	15 to 130	chinense	South America	Culinary	Sweet, Tropical
Extra Hot		Aji Chombo	125,000	325,000	225,000	42.86	15 to 130	chinense	Panama	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Tropical
Extra Hot		Devil's Tongue Pepper	125,000	325,000	225,000	42.86	15 to 130	chinense	United States	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Citrusy
Extra Hot		Wiri Wiri Pepper	100,000	350,000	225,000	42.86	12 to 140	chinense	South America	Culinary	Fruity, Tangy
Extra Hot		Scotch Bonnet Pepper	100,000	350,000	225,000	42.86	12 to 140	chinense	Caribbean	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Tropical, Earthy
Extra Hot		Habanero Pepper	100,000	350,000	225,000	42.86	12 to 140	chinense	South America	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Tropical, Smoky
Extra Hot		Peruvian White Habanero	100,000	350,000	225,000	42.86	12 to 140	chinense	Peru	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Extra Hot		Goat Pepper	100,000	350,000	225,000	42.86	12 to 140	chinense	Caribbean	Culinary	Sweet, Tropical
Extra Hot		Peach Habanero	150,000	350,000	250,000	47.62	18 to 140	Chinense	Caribbean	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Extra Hot		Fatalii Pepper	125,000	400,000	262,500	50.00	14 to 160	chinense	Africa	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Citrusy
Extra Hot		Hot Paper Lantern	150,000	400,000	275,000	52.38	19 to 160	chinense	Peru	Culinary	Sweet, Smoky
Super Hot		Caribbean Red Habanero	300,000	445,000	372,500	70.95	35 to 178	chinense	Mexico	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Tropical, Smoky
Super Hot		Roatan Pumpkin Habanero	100,000	500,000	300,000	57.14	12 to 200	chinense	Caribbean	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Citrusy
Super Hot		Red Savina Habanero	350,000	577,000	463,500	88.29	44 to 231	chinense	United States	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Super Hot		Chocolate Habanero	425,000	577,000	501,000	95.43	53 to 231	chinense	Jamaica	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Earthy, Smoky
Super Hot		7 Pot Bubblegum	800,000	1,000,000	900,000	171.43	106 to 400	chinense	United Kingdom	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Super Hot		7 Pot Jonah	800,000	1,000,000	900,000	171.43	100 to 480	chinense	Trinidad	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Super Hot		Bhut Jolokia Chocolate	800,000	1,001,304	900,652	171.55	100 to 400	chinense	India	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Earthy, Smoky
Super Hot		Ghost Pepper	855,000	1,041,427	948,214	180.61	107 to 417	chinense	India	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Earthy
Super Hot		Trinidad 7 Pot Pepper	1,000,000	1,200,000	1,100,000	209.52	125 to 480	chinense	Trinidad	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Nutty
Super Hot		Infinity Pepper	1,067,286	1,250,000	1,158,643	220.69	133 to 500	chinense	United Kingdom	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Super Hot		7 Pot Primo	800,000	1,268,250	1,034,125	196.98	100 to 507	chinense	United States	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Citrusy, Floral
Super Hot		7 Pot Barrackpore	1,000,000	1,300,000	1,150,000	219.05	125 to 520	chinense	Trinidad	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Bright, Bitter
Super Hot		7 Pot Brain Strain	1,000,000	1,350,000	1,175,000	223.81	125 to 540	chinense	Trinidad	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Super Hot		Naga Viper	900,000	1,382,118	1,141,059	217.34	113 to 553	chinense	India	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Tangy
Super Hot		Trinidad Scorpion "Butch-T"	800,000	1,463,700	1,131,850	215.59	100 to 585	chinense	Australia	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Super Hot		Naga Morich	1,000,000	1,500,000	1,250,000	238.10	125 to 600	chinense	United Kingdom	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Super Hot		Dorset Naga	1,000,000	1,598,227	1,299,114	247.45	125 to 639	chinense	United Kingdom	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Floral
Super Hot		7 Pot Douglah	923,889	1,853,986	1,388,938	264.56	109 to 742	chinense	Trinidad	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Earthy, Nutty
Super Hot		Trinidad Moruga Scorpion	1,200,000	2,000,000	1,600,000	304.76	150 to 800	chinense	Trinidad	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Super Hot		Trinidad Scorpion Chocolate	1,200,000	2,000,000	1,600,000	304.76	150 to 800	chinense	Trinidad	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Earthy, Smoky
Super Hot		Carolina Reaper	1,400,000	2,200,000	1,800,000	342.86	175 to 880	chinense	United States	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Super Hot		Komodo Dragon Pepper	1,400,000	2,200,000	1,800,000	342.86	175 to 880	chinense	United Kingdom	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Super Hot		Dragon’s Breath Pepper	2,480,000	2,480,000	2,480,000	472.38	310 to 992	chinense	United Kingdom	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Super Hot		Pepper X	2,693,000	2,693,000	3,180,000	605.71	? - 1272	chinense	United States	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Super Hot		Pepper Spray	2,000,000	5,300,000	3,650,000	695.24	250 to 2,120	N/A	N/A	Culinary
Super Hot		Capsaicin	15,000,000	16,000,000	15,500,000	2,952.38	1,875 to 6,400	N/A	N/A	Culinary
Mild		Elephant Ears Pepper	0	0	0	0.00	-8,000 to -2,500	annuum	Balkan Peninsula	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity
Medium		Calabrian Pepper	25,000	40,000	32,500	6.19	3 to 16	annuum	Italy	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Smoky, Salty
Mild		Mad Hatter Pepper	500	1,000	750	.14	-16 to -3	baccatum	United States	Culinary, Ornamental	Sweet, Fruity, Citrusy, Floral
Mild		Habanada Pepper	0	0	0	0.00	-8,000 to -2,500	annuum	United States	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Floral
Super Hot		Death Spiral Pepper	1,300,000	1,500,000	1,400,000	266.6	163 to 600	chinense	United Kingdom	Culinary	Sweet, Citrusy, Floral
Medium		Urfa Biber (Isot Pepper)	30,000	50,000	40,000	7.61	4 to 20	annuum	Turkey	Culinary	Earthy, Smoky, Sweet, Tangy, Salty
Super Hot		Apocalypse Scorpion Pepper	1,200,000	2,000,000	1,600,000	304.76	150 to 800	chinense	Italy	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Floral
Super Hot		Chocolate Bhutlah	1,500,000	2,000,000	1,750,000	333.33	187 to 800	Chinense	United States	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Earthy, Smoky
Medium		Facing Heaven Pepper	30,000	50,000	40,000	7.62	4 to 20	Annuum	China	Culinary	Sweet, Floral, Citrusy
Mild		Sedona Sun Pepper	0	1,000	500	.1	-3+	Annuum	United States	Ornamental	Sweet
Medium		Loco Pepper	15,000	30,000	22,500	4.29	2 to 12	Annuum	England	Ornamental	Sweet, Neutral (peppery)
Medium		Purple UFO Pepper	30,000	45,000	37,500	7.14	4 to 18	annuum	Unknown	Ornamental	Sweet, Fruity
Medium		Cacho de Cabra	1,000	5,000	3,000	.57	-3 to 0	annuum	Chile	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Smoky, Earthy
Hot		Thai Dragon Pepper	50,000	100,000	75,000	14.29	6 to 40	annuum	Thailand	Culinary	Fruity, Sweet
Medium		Fire and Ice Pepper	1,000	5,000	3,000	.57	-8 to 0	annuum	United States	Ornamental	Sweet
Medium		Chipotle Meco	2,500	8,000	5,250	1	0	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Smoky, Fruity, Earthy
Medium		Morita Pepper (Chipotle Morita)	2,500	8,000	5,250	1	0	annuum	Mexico	Culinary	Smoky, Sweet, Earthy
Mild		Ñora Pepper	500	1,000	750	.14	-16 to -3	annuum	Spain	Culinary	Sweet, Earthy, Smoky
Medium		Purple Tiger Pepper	5,000	10,000	7,500	1.4	0 to 4	annuum	United States	Ornamental	Fruity, Sweet
Super Hot		Kraken Scorpion Pepper	1,000,000	1,200,000	1,100,000	209.5	125 to 480	chinense	United States	Culinary	Earthy, Floral, Smoky
Mild		Jimmy Nardello Pepper	0	500	250	.05	-5 to -8,000	Annuum	United States	Culinary	Sweet, Fruity, Smoky

See Also

Italian Long Hot Peppers: Info & Easy Recipe | Spicy ExchangeTop 10 World's Hottest PeppersThe Hottest Peppers In The World (Keep Getting Hotter) Pepper GeekThe Hottest Peppers In The World (2024 Update)

Glossary

Heat

Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra-Hot, or Super-Hot. We break them down by color (green, yellow, light orange, dark orange, red). This is the simplest way to explore our hot pepper list and get an idea of where things sit. Note that “Medium” is plenty hot here. It contains the likes of jalapeños and cayenne peppers, which many with milder tastes find very spicy.

SHU

Scoville heat units. The units by which the Scoville scale is measured (read more about them here). It is the key numerical value of our (or any) hot pepper list.

Min/MaxSHU

Even individual hot peppers have a range of heat, depending on where they are grown, how long they’ve matured, and even the amount of sun they’ve received. The minimum SHU is the mildest a pepper could be; the maximum SHU is the hottest possible for the variety.

Median SHU

The number exactly in the middle between the minimum and maximum Scoville heat units of the pepper. This gives us one number by which to compare our jalapeño reference point.

JalRP

Jalapeño reference point.Our hot pepper list gives you a perspective of how hot these peppers really are by comparing them against a reference point most everyone has tried. We offer this data in two ways:

• Decimal: Based on the median heat of the peppers. The jalapeno is “1,” and the other peppers are either less than one (less spicy) or above one (hotter). As you’ll see, some peppers are much, much hotter than a jalapeño. You can read the hotter pepper numbers as “X times hotter than a jalapeño”. For instance, the median heat of a habanero (at 42.86) is nearly 43 times hotter than the median heat of a jalapeño.
• Range: Based on the minimum and maximum SHUs of the pepper. We offer this option in the Fast Facts pop-up. It shows how the range of potential times hotter/milder given each chili has a range of heat.

Origin

Where the chili pepper has its roots. All chili peppers are native to South and Central America, but here we consider “origin” as where the pepper is now regionally connected or primarily cultivated.

Use

We reference the typical use case: culinary or ornamental. Note, all ornamental peppers are also edible, so consider that when exploring the list. Many, though, are not as flavorful (and often surprisingly spicy) as they are grown for looks instead of flavor or mildness.

Flavor

Our hot pepper list breaks down the overall basic flavor of each chili pepper, using a common glossary of terms: sweet, fruity, citrusy, tropical, smoky, earthy, crisp, floral, nutty, bright, grassy, salty, peppery (as in black peppery), and tangy. This is a simplified description to give you a starting point to consider flavor. We highly recommend clicking through to our pepper profile for more detail on the overall heat and flavor profile of each pepper. As the heat rises on the Scoville scale, it becomes harder to detect flavor nuances, but they are still there.

Other notes

We do use the term “neutral” in flavor. By neutral here, we mean simply a standard fresh pepper taste with no distinct flavor nuance.