Ghost Pepper vs Dalle Khursani
Ghost Pepper is hotter, at about 1,001,304 SHU against 393,950 SHU for Dalle Khursani: about 2.5× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 1.9× to 3.4×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Ghost Pepper | Dalle Khursani | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 1,001,304 SHU | 393,950 SHU |
| Measured range | 855,000–1,041,427 SHU | 304,863–456,636 SHU |
| Status | Lab tested | Lab tested |
| Species | Capsicum chinense (with RAPD evidence of introgression from C. frutescens) | Capsicum sp. (often given as C. annuum; reported to be polyploid) |
| Origin | Northeast India: Assam, Nagaland and Manipur (also Meghalaya, Mizoram and the Sylhet region of Bangladesh) | Sikkim and the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills of West Bengal, India; also Nepal and Bhutan |
| Flavour | Not documented | Not documented |
| Colours | red (ripe), green (unripe) | red |
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, 1,001,304 ÷ 393,950 ≈ 2.5×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (1.9× to 3.4× across the measured ranges).
In between
1 pepper sits between Dalle Khursani and Ghost Pepper by typical heat.
- Naga Morich1,000,000 SHU
About each pepper
Ghost Pepper: A traditional landrace of Northeast India.
Dalle Khursani: A round, cherry-like Himalayan landrace.
Questions
Which is hotter, Ghost Pepper or Dalle Khursani?
Ghost Pepper. It averages about 1,001,304 SHU against 393,950 SHU for Dalle Khursani, about 2.5× as hot.
How many times hotter is Ghost Pepper than Dalle Khursani?
About 2.5× using typical values (1,001,304 ÷ 393,950). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 1.9× to 3.4×.
How hot is Ghost Pepper?
Ghost Pepper: 855,000–1,041,427 SHU, lab tested.
How hot is Dalle Khursani?
Dalle Khursani: 304,863–456,636 SHU, lab tested.
Are Ghost Pepper and Dalle Khursani the same species?
No. Ghost Pepper is Capsicum chinense (with RAPD evidence of introgression from C. frutescens); Dalle Khursani is Capsicum sp. (often given as C. annuum; reported to be polyploid).
People also compare
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- Ghost Pepper vs Trinidad Moruga ScorpionTrinidad Moruga Scorpion 1.2×
- Ghost Pepper vs HabaneroGhost Pepper 4.5×
- Naga Morich vs Ghost Pepperabout the same
- Raja Mircha vs Ghost Peppersame landrace
- Dalle Khursani vs HabaneroDalle Khursani 1.8×
- Ghost Pepper vs JalapeñoGhost Pepper 200×
Sources
- Bosland & Baral, HortScience 42(2):222-224 (2007), New Mexico State University: Ghost Pepper: 1,001,304 SHU; method; independent lab values; seed provenance; species; names
- NMSU News Center, 13 Feb 2012 (Chile Pepper Institute study by Bosland, Coon, Reeves): Ghost Pepper: Guinness certification in 2007; 2012 mean of almost 1.02M
- IP India GI Registry, application 636 (Dalle Khursani): Dalle Khursani: GI dates, region, proprietor
- Spices Board India, 'List of GI Tags Registered for Spices' (as of 15/09/2026): Dalle Khursani: certificate date
Full source lists are on each pepper's page.