
Ashleigh Smith

Peppers come in all shapes, sizes, flavors, and heat levels. The level of heat is designated by its Scoville Heat Units. On the scoville scale, originally developed from Wilbur Scoville, the heat level of a pepper was determined by a taste test.
This test is now recognized as the organoleptic test. The test was conducted by a panel of subjective individuals tasting a dilution of the capsaicinoids contained in a pepper. This naturally occurring chemical is what gives a pepper its spiciness. When the majority of the panel can no longer sense the heat in the mixture, a number is assigned in multiples of 100 SHU.
This method is not the most reliable way of measuring capsaicin levels as it is based on opinion rather than a quantitative measurement of the chemical itself. This has led to more tests becoming available. Today how much heat a given pepper has is determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography assessment.
This test measures the concentration of capsaicinoids and reports it as the parts per million of dried pepper mass with a pungency unit. However, you will likely still see this number displayed with the units labeled SHU as it can be converted to Scoville Heat Units by using a conversion factor of 16.
When it comes to products made from peppers you will need to take into account their heat levels are not solely determined by the peppers used. When peppers are utilized in cooking the amount of water included may dilute the capsaicin, making it seem like it has less heat than it is capable of.
Likewise you may magnify the effects of a pepper’s spice by creating a higher concentrate. If you are interested in more information regarding the values for specific peppers, head on over to our Scoville Heat Scale page where we list some of the most well known varieties and where they fall on the scale.
Over time peppers have become quite the popular fruit with many events being held around the world to celebrate and discover the newest pepper developments and creations. If you are interested in attending an event, Cayennediane has a great list of events occurring throughout the world.
If you are a pepper enthusiast we would love to hear about your favorite peppers and see what you make with them. Post your favorites to social media with the hashtag #Trueleafmarket .
To Get Started Today Try:
About the Author

I'm Ashleigh Smith, a native to Northern Utah. I first gained a love of gardening with my grandmother as I helped her each summer. I decided to make a career of it and have recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University - Idaho. My studies have focused on plant production while I also have experience in Nursery & Garden Center Operations.
Our Recommended Picks
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
0 Comments
No Comments yet! Be the first to start a conversation
Further Reading
What a No-Till Michigan Market Farm Can Teach You About Growing Food
Written By Lara Wadsworth I drove 20 minutes out of the city, past the Grand Rapids airport, with airplanes flying overhead. My GPS instructs me to turn down a dirt road, and I slowly drive to the end of the lane. Passing homes and countless trees, I f...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-07-028 min read0July Planting Guide By Zone
Written By Lara Wadsworth Summer is in full swing. July is here, and most of us are celebrating holidays, going camping, and (of course), tending to our gardens! Even though a lot is done in the spring for gardens, July is also brimming with potential....
Ashleigh Smith
2025-07-0211 min read0Grass to Garden: Transforming Your Outdoor Space With Raised Beds
Written By Lara Wadsworth Looking to turn your lawn into a productive, easy-to-manage garden? One of the best ways to convert grass, turf, or weeds into a flourishing garden space is by using raised garden beds. Whether you’re dreaming of fresh vegetab...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-06-246 min read1How to Protect Your Garden from Heat Stress: Summer Plant Care Tips
Written By Lara Wadsworth Summer is here, and the heat is turning up. As the sun becomes more intense and daytime temperatures routinely soar, some plants struggle to cope. Sunburn, sunscald, leaf scorch, and heat stress are common problems that plants...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-06-178 min read0