The “heat” of a chilli is measured in Scoville units (SHU). Wilbur Scoville developed the scale in 1912. The hotness of a chilli was first a subjective taste test, but now, thanks to newer methods of analysis, the capsainoid content in the chilli can be quantified. The unit of chilli heat is named in honour of Wilbur Scoville.
Variety
Capsicum or Bell pepper ranks the lowest in the table with 0 (SHU) while pure capsaicin rates at 15,000,000-16,000,000 SHU. The jalapeno pepper, which is a variety of chilli used extensively in Indian cooking, rates between 2,500 and 10,000 SHU.
Till recently the Guinness Book of Records assigned the record for the hottest chili pepper to the Red Savina Habanero. It measured 577,000 SHU.
But according to latest information the Bhut Jolokia chilli, a naturally occurring hybrid native of the Assam region has overthrown the Red Savina. The Guinness Book of Records has now declared the Bhut jolokia the world’s hot
test chilli with a rating of 1,001,304 SHU! Interestingly, the pepper’s name translates as ghost chilli. Is it because when eaten, it has the power to drive out the ghost or do you see ghosts?
Celebrate World Environment Day
Scope International Pvt. Ltd., invites entries from students between the ages of six to 15 years, for an essay competition to commemorate World Environment Day on June 5. The topic is “How can I make Earth a greener place”. The last date for submission is May 29. The essay must be in English, in not more than 500 words and entries should carry your full name, age, class, school name, address and telephone number. Mail entries to: scope.corporateaffairs@in.standardchartered.com. For more details on the competition, contact Sunita Patnaik on 044 2821 9457/ Sunita.Patnaik@in.standardchartered.com
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