How Much Hotter Is 7 Pot Brain Strain Than a Jalapeño?
7 Pot Brain Strain is hotter, at about 1,175,000 SHU against 5,000 SHU for Jalapeño: about 235× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 125× to 540×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| 7 Pot Brain Strain | Jalapeño | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 1,175,000 SHU | 5,000 SHU |
| Measured range | 1,000,000–1,350,000 SHU | 2,500–8,000 SHU |
| Status | Breeder claim | Lab tested |
| Species | Capsicum chinense | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | North Carolina, USA (from Trinidad 7 Pot seed) | Mexico (named after Xalapa, Veracruz) |
| Flavour | Smoky and fruity | Grassy, green-vegetal when unripe |
| Colours | red, yellow, chocolate | green, red (ripe) |
The Scoville maths
The Scoville scale is linear: a pepper at 2,000,000 SHU has twice the capsaicinoids of one at 1,000,000 SHU. So the ratio is a simple division, 1,175,000 ÷ 5,000 ≈ 235×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (125× to 540× across the measured ranges).
In between
18 peppers sit between Jalapeño and 7 Pot Brain Strain by typical heat.
- 7 Pot Douglah1,170,000 SHU
- Dorset Naga1,032,310 SHU
- Ghost Pepper1,001,304 SHU
- Naga Morich1,000,000 SHU
- Dalle Khursani393,950 SHU
- Fatalii262,500 SHU
- Red Savina248,556 SHU
- Habanero225,000 SHU
About each pepper
7 Pot Brain Strain: Selected by grower David Cappiello in North Carolina around 2010 from Trinidad 7 Pot seed.
Jalapeño: A Mexican C.
Questions
Which is hotter, 7 Pot Brain Strain or Jalapeño?
7 Pot Brain Strain. It averages about 1,175,000 SHU against 5,000 SHU for Jalapeño, about 235× as hot.
How many times hotter is 7 Pot Brain Strain than Jalapeño?
About 235× using typical values (1,175,000 ÷ 5,000). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 125× to 540×.
How hot is 7 Pot Brain Strain?
7 Pot Brain Strain: 1,000,000–1,350,000 SHU, breeder claim.
How hot is Jalapeño?
Jalapeño: 2,500–8,000 SHU, lab tested.
Are 7 Pot Brain Strain and Jalapeño the same species?
No. 7 Pot Brain Strain is Capsicum chinense; Jalapeño is Capsicum annuum.
People also compare
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- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion vs JalapeñoTrinidad Moruga Scorpion 240×
- 7 Pot Douglah vs Jalapeño7 Pot Douglah 234×
- 7 Pot Primo vs Jalapeño7 Pot Primo 280×
- Trinidad Scorpion Butch T vs JalapeñoTrinidad Scorpion Butch T 293×
- Naga Viper vs JalapeñoNaga Viper 276×
- Ghost Pepper vs JalapeñoGhost Pepper 200×
Sources
- Texas AgriLife Extension (Dr. Joe Masabni), 'Jalapeno & Other Hot Peppers': Jalapeño: 3,500-4,500 average
- NDSU Extension FN584 'From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!': Jalapeño: 2,500-5,000
Full source lists are on each pepper's page.