Ghost Pepper: The Complete Guide (855K–1M SHU)
855K–1M SHU · smoky and sweet · India
208x hotter than a jalapeño
Quick Facts
Heat & Flavor Profile
The Ghost Pepper registers 855K–1M Scoville Heat Units (SHU), placing it in the Super-Hot tier (1M+ SHU). That makes it roughly 208x hotter than a jalapeño.
Flavor notes: smoky and sweet.
Substitutes for Ghost Pepper
Closest match: 7 Pot Douglah. These peppers share a similar heat range or flavor profile and work well as substitutes in most recipes.
Ghost Pepper vs. Other Peppers
See how the Ghost Pepper stacks up in these detailed side-by-side comparisons.
Data from USDA FoodData Central, the Chile Pepper Institute at NMSU, and USDA Agricultural Research Service. Species classification: C. chinense — based on published botanical taxonomy.