0–999 SHU

Mild Peppers

Mild peppers range from 0–999 SHU. This tier includes bell peppers (0 SHU), banana peppers, pimientos, and shishito peppers. Heat is absent or barely perceptible – flavor and texture are the primary attributes.

35
Varieties
6
Comparisons
0–999 SHU
Heat Range
Mild Medium Hot Extra-Hot Super-Hot
Featured Mild Pepper

0–0 SHU Mild

Size is deceptive with prik kee noo. These slender pods rarely stretch beyond an inch, yet they carry the kind of sharp, penetrating heat that defines Thai cooking's character…

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Origin
Unknown
Species
C. annuum

Quick Facts: Mild Peppers

0–999 SHU range
Bell peppers have zero capsaicin
36M+ metric tons produced annually
Safe for baby food
Valued for texture and sweetness
Browse

All Mild Peppers

35 varieties

Every mild pepper in our database, sorted by maximum Scoville rating. Click any card for the full profile with flavor notes, growing tips, and substitutes.

NuMex Suave Orange
Mild

NuMex Suave Orange

USA

800 SHU fruity
Holy Mole Pepper
Mild

Holy Mole Pepper

Unknown origin

800 SHU
Santa Fe Grande
Mild

Santa Fe Grande

New Mexico, USA

700 SHU mild
Mariachi Pepper
Mild

Mariachi Pepper

Unknown origin

600 SHU
Banana Pepper
Mild

Banana Pepper

USA

500 SHU mild
Pepperoncini
Mild

Pepperoncini

Italy

500 SHU tangy
Pimento Pepper
Mild

Pimento Pepper

Spain

500 SHU sweet
Cherry Pepper
Mild

Cherry Pepper

USA

500 SHU sweet
Corno di Toro
Mild

Corno di Toro

Italy

500 SHU sweet
Jimmy Nardello
Mild

Jimmy Nardello

Italy

500 SHU sweet
Trinidad Perfume
Mild

Trinidad Perfume

Trinidad

500 SHU fruity
Aji Dulce
Mild

Aji Dulce

Venezuela

500 SHU sweet

How Mild Peppers Compare

Visual breakdown within the 0–999 SHU range

NuMex Suave Orange 0–800
Holy Mole Pepper 700–800
Santa Fe Grande 500–700
Mariachi Pepper 500–600
Banana Pepper 0–500
Pepperoncini 100–500
Pimento Pepper 100–500
Cherry Pepper 100–500
Corno di Toro 0–500
Jimmy Nardello 0–500
Deep Dive

The Science of Mild Heat

Capsaicin at Mild Level

Capsaicin content below 70 ppm. Bell peppers produce zero capsaicin due to a recessive gene that blocks the biosynthetic pathway. Other mild peppers produce trace amounts detectable by instruments but not by most people.

Capsaicin activates TRPV1 pain receptors. The sensation is real pain, but causes no physical damage.

Species in This Tier

Primarily C. annuum. Bell peppers are the most economically significant Capsicum crop globally, with worldwide production exceeding 36 million metric tons annually.

Cooking with Mild

Valued for texture, sweetness, and color rather than heat. Bell peppers are the third-most-consumed vegetable in the United States. Roasting brings out natural sugars. Stuffing is the most popular cooking method for large-cavity varieties.

Roasting deepens sweetness. Raw preserves brighter notes. See our fresh vs dried guide.

Safety & Handling

No heat precautions needed. Mild peppers are used in baby food and are safe for young children.

Full remedies in our capsaicin burn relief guide. TL;DR: dairy, sugar, or dish soap.

Head-to-Head

Mild Pepper Comparisons

View All

Side-by-side breakdowns of heat, flavor, and culinary uses for mild-tier peppers.

VS
500 vs 8K

Banana Pepper vs Jalapeño Showdown: Heat, Flavor & Uses
VS
500 vs 500

Banana Pepper vs Pepperoncini: What's the Difference?
VS
500 vs 15K

Banana Pepper vs Hungarian Wax: Key Differences Explained
VS
500 vs 1K

Banana Pepper vs Cubanelle Pepper – Heat & Flavor Compared
VS
500 vs 1K

Banana Pepper vs Long Hot Italian: Key Differences Explained
VS
500 vs 500

Friggitello vs Pepperoncini: What's the Difference?
Learn More

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Pepper Tools & Resources

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Substitute Finder

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Side-by-side comparisons

Full Database

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Frequently Asked Questions

What SHU range defines mild peppers?
Mild peppers measure 0–999 SHU on the Scoville scale. This range is determined by capsaicinoid concentration measured via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which replaced the original organoleptic Scoville taste test in the 1980s.
What is the hottest mild pepper?
The hottest mild pepper in our database is NuMex Suave Orange at 0–800 SHU. It's followed by Holy Mole Pepper (800 SHU).
How many mild pepper varieties exist?
We currently track 35 mild varieties. Globally, hundreds more exist as regional landraces that haven't been formally cataloged. New cultivars are bred each year, particularly in the commercial agriculture sector.
Are mild peppers safe to eat?
Yes. Mild peppers are widely consumed daily by millions of people. Bell peppers are among the most popular vegetables worldwide and contain zero capsaicin.
What species are most mild peppers?
Most are Capsicum annuum, the world's most widely cultivated pepper species. Annuum peppers dominate commercial agriculture and home gardening because they grow faster, tolerate more conditions, and produce higher yields than other species.
Sources & References
Explore

Other Heat Levels

The Scoville scale spans from 0 SHU to over 3 million. Each tier serves a different culinary purpose.

Medium

2.5K–30K SHU
46 varieties

Hot

30K–100K SHU
59 varieties

Extra-Hot

100K–350K SHU
34 varieties

Super-Hot

350K+ SHU
28 varieties
View Heat Level Overview →