Chile pungency levels are the results of two factors,
the plant's genetics and the environment in which it grows.
The most common way to test chile pungency
is to taste the pod,this method, although quick
and cost effective, may leave the tester in some pain.
There are other ways of testing pungency,
the Scoville Heat Unit scale and some sort of
advanced laboratory technique.
Since most of us are not scientists, it is best to
look at their data and make an educated guess.
The Scoville test is a refined, systematic approach.
In this method, human subjects taste a chile sample
and recorded the heat level. The samples are diluted
in the laboratory until heat can no longer be detected
by the tasters. This dilution is called
the Scoville Heat Unit.
This method has limitations.
Measuring pungency with this technique
is still subjective and depends on the taster's palate
and sensitivity to pungency.
In addition, there are serious limits on how many samples
a taster can handle within a reasonable time.
This procedure is more accurate than the
taste test ("bite the chile") technique.
I still prefer the taste test myself,
but here is the Scoville Heat Unit
to help you decide which chiles you
are willing to take a bite out of.
Enjoy,
Elaine
SCOVILLE HEAT UNITS SCALE
The following is a list of chiles, put into a scale to show the
relative pungency levels and their Scoville Heat Units.
Name
Pod Type
Species
Scoville
Units
Orange Habanero
Habanero
C. chinense
210,000
Red Habanero
Habanero
C. chinense
150,000
Tabasco
Tabasco
C. frutescens
120,000
Tepin
Tepin
C annuum
75,000
Chiltepin
Tepin
C. annuum
70,000
Thai Hot
Asain
C. annuum
60,000
Jalapeno M
Jalapeno
C. annuum
25,000
Long Slim Cayenne
Cayenne
C. annuum
23,000
Mitla
Jalapeno
C annuum
22,000
Santa Fe Grande
Hungarian
C. annuum
21,000
Aji Escabeche
Aji
C. baccatum
17,000
Long Thick Cayenne
Cayenne
C. annuum
8,500
Cayenne
Cayenne
C. annuum
8,000
Pasilla
Pasilla
C. annuum
5,500
Primavera
Jalapeno
C. annuum
5,000
Sandia
New Mexican
C. annuum
5,000
NuMex Joe E. Parker
New Mexican
C. annuum
4,500
Serrano
Serrano
C. annuum
4,000
Mulato
Ancho
C. annuum
1,000
Bell
Bell
C. annuum
0
