Extra-Hot

Thai Chili: The Complete Guide (50K–100K SHU)

50K–100K SHU · bright and peppery · Thailand

20x hotter than a jalapeño

Quick Facts Heat & Flavor Best Substitutes Head-to-Head Comparisons Related Peppers Sources & References

Quick Facts

Scoville Heat Units
50,000 – 100,000 SHU
Extra-Hot
13×
vs Jalapeño
Species
C. annuum
Most common species
Origin
Thailand
Where it was first cultivated
Flavor Profile
bright and peppery
Primary taste notes
Heat Category
Extra-Hot
100K–1M SHU

Heat & Flavor Profile

The Thai Chili registers 50K–100K Scoville Heat Units (SHU), placing it in the Extra-Hot tier (100K–1M SHU). That makes it roughly 20x hotter than a jalapeño.

Heat Position on the Scoville Scale
0 SHU 3,200,000+ SHU

Flavor notes: bright and peppery.

bright peppery C. annuum

Substitutes for Thai Chili

Closest match: Bird's Eye Chili. These peppers share a similar heat range or flavor profile and work well as substitutes in most recipes.

1
Bird's Eye Chili
50K–100K SHU · Thailand · peppery and bright
Extra-Hot
2
Habanero
100K–350K SHU · Mexico · fruity and citrusy
Extra-Hot
3
Scotch Bonnet
100K–350K SHU · Caribbean · fruity and tropical
Extra-Hot

Thai Chili vs. Other Peppers

See how the Thai Chili stacks up in these detailed side-by-side comparisons.

Sources & References

Data from USDA FoodData Central, the Chile Pepper Institute at NMSU, and USDA Agricultural Research Service. Species classification: C. annuum — based on published botanical taxonomy.

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