Your Guide to Chillies and the Scoville Scale
From Mild to Wild
Love the heat, or just fancy a little spice now and then? Whether you’re all about the burn or just dipping your toes into the world of hot sauces and fiery flavours, you’ll want to understand the Scoville scale as it’s the key to cooking with chillies confidently.
At Leo Foods, we’re passionate about global ingredients – and chillies are one of our favourite ways to add personality to a dish. From mellow and fruity to eye-wateringly hot, we have put together a go-to guide to chillies, the Scoville scale, and how to find the right heat for your kitchen.
What Is the Scoville Scale?
The Scoville scale measures the heat level of chillies, ranked in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). It was created back in 1912 by American pharmacist Wilbur Scoville, who wanted to find a way to quantify just how spicy a pepper actually was.
Originally, the heat level was tested by diluting chilli extract in sugar water until tasters could no longer detect the heat, and the amount of dilution determined the SHU. Today, they use high-tech lab testing, but the scale itself still works the same way: The higher the number, the hotter the chilli!
How Spicy Is That Chilli?
Here’s how some of the world’s most popular chillies measure up on the Scoville scale:
- Bell Pepper – 0 SHU
No heat at all, just sweetness and crunch. - Jalapeño – 2,500 to 8,000 SHU
Mild to medium heat with a fresh, green flavour. Great for making salsa and burgers. - Cayenne Pepper – 30,000 to 50,000 SHU
A dry, sharp heat used in powdered form or sauces. - Bird’s Eye/Thai Chilli – 50,000 to 100,000 SHU
Small but mighty. A fiery heat that’s often found in Thai and Southeast Asian dishes. - Habanero/Scotch Bonnet – 100,000 to 350,000 SHU
Fruity, floral, and seriously hot. Used in Caribbean dishes and fiery sauces. - Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) – 800,000 to 1,041,000 SHU
Smoky and extreme. Not for the faint-hearted! - Carolina Reaper – 1.4 to 2.2 million SHU
Officially the world’s hottest chilli. Approach with caution!
It’s Not All About The Heat
Different chillies bring different flavour notes to your cooking. Some are smoky, others are citrusy, and many add real depth to a dish even in small amounts.
Here’s how we’d recommend using chillis in your cooking:
- Remove seeds and membranes if you want less heat.
- Use chilli pastes or oils to add flavour in a more controlled way.
- Balance the burn with creamy ingredients like yoghurt, coconut milk, or avocado.
- Build flavour in layers by using fresh, dried, and paste forms together.
Chilli Products at Leo Foods (and Where They Sit on the Scale)
At Leo Foods in Marbella, we stock a fantastic range of chilli-based products to suit every heat level. Whether you’re cooking at home or stocking up for your restaurant, here’s what you can find when you shop with us online and in-store:
Mild to Medium Heat (up to 50,000 SHU)
- Gochujang – Korean fermented chilli paste. Deep, savoury, with a mellow kick.
- Harissa Paste – A rich North African blend of red chilli, garlic, and spices.
- Thai Red & Green Curry Pastes – Packed with chilli and herbs. Great in marinades or sauces.
Medium to Hot (50,000+ SHU)
- Chilli Flakes & Powder – Sprinkle onto pizzas, stir-fries, or dressings.
- Bird’s Eye Chillies – Perfect for Southeast Asian cuisine.
Extreme Heat (Warning: Not for beginners!)
- Ghost Pepper Sauces – Check our extensive hot sauce range!
- Extra Hot Chilli Powders – Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Don’t forget to explore our full Chilli & Spices section online or visit us in store.
From Mild to Wild – There’s a Chilli for Everyone
Whether you’re just starting to experiment with spice or you’re hunting down the hottest chilli you can find, Leo Foods is a fantastic place to start. We love helping our customers explore new ingredients and turn everyday dishes into something bold and exciting.
Visit our Cash & Carry warehouse in Nueva Campana, Marbella, or browse our online shop to explore our full range of chillies, spices, and international flavour boosters.
How hot can you handle? Come find your favourite heat level at Leo Foods!
