![The Scoville Scale](/data/desktop/img/the-scoville-scale.jpg)
Tasting notes
The Scoville Scale
The burn of chiles is not caused by actual heat, of course, but eating very spicy foods can trigger the same feeling of pain and the same rush of endorphins as an actual burn. And just as kinetic heat is measured in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit, the heat of chiles is measured on the Scoville scale. Scoville Heat Units (SHUs) measure the concentration of capsaicin — the active component in spicy heat. Green bell peppers score a 0, whereas jalapeños can range between 3,500 and 10,000. Cayenne pepper is up around 30,000 to 50,000 SHUs, and the legendary Ghost pepper and Carolina Reaper can clock over a million. Please, pass the yogourt!