Hot peppers come in all shapes, sizes and spices. Everyone has a different definition of hot, but the typical way to measure spice heat is the Scoville Scale. The Scoville Organoleptic Test was created by Wilbur L. Scoville in 1912 and measures the amount of capsaicin in any particular pepper. Capsaicin is the chemical that gives the heat reaction in your mouth and on your skin.

hot peppers
Photo credit: Jeffrey S. Otto

See more: North Carolina Growers Cultivate Hot Peppers

Hot Pepper Heat

Check out the graphic below to discover the heat levels of different pepper varieties.

Hot Peppers Chart

See more: Pick a Peck of Peppers at the Chapel Hill Pepper Festival

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NCField&FamilySummer2026
Flip through the pages of the Summer 2026 edition of North Carolina Field and Family magazine. In this issue, find vineyard adventures at U-pick muscadine grape farms, explore the oasis of Manteo, learn more about on-farm markets, enjoy peak berry season with summer berry recipes, read about riveting research on hemp fiber and so much more.

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