Ghost Pepper vs Trinidad Moruga Scorpion
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion is hotter, at about 1,200,000 SHU against 1,001,304 SHU for Ghost Pepper: about 1.2× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 1.2× to 2.3×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Ghost Pepper | Trinidad Moruga Scorpion | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 1,001,304 SHU | 1,200,000 SHU |
| Measured range | 855,000–1,041,427 SHU | up to 2,000,000 SHU |
| Status | Lab tested | Lab tested |
| Species | Capsicum chinense (with RAPD evidence of introgression from C. frutescens) | Capsicum chinense |
| Origin | Northeast India: Assam, Nagaland and Manipur (also Meghalaya, Mizoram and the Sylhet region of Bangladesh) | Moruga, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Flavour | Not documented | Tender, fruit-like flavour that gives a sweet-hot combination |
| Colours | red (ripe), green (unripe) | red, yellow |
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, 1,200,000 ÷ 1,001,304 ≈ 1.2×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (1.2× to 2.3× across the measured ranges).
In between
4 peppers sit between Ghost Pepper and Trinidad Moruga Scorpion by typical heat.
- Infinity1,176,182 SHU
- 7 Pot Brain Strain1,175,000 SHU
- 7 Pot Douglah1,170,000 SHU
- Dorset Naga1,032,310 SHU
About each pepper
Ghost Pepper: A traditional landrace of Northeast India.
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion: A Trinidadian landrace named after the Moruga district.
Questions
Which is hotter, Ghost Pepper or Trinidad Moruga Scorpion?
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion. It averages about 1,200,000 SHU against 1,001,304 SHU for Ghost Pepper, about 1.2× as hot.
How many times hotter is Trinidad Moruga Scorpion than Ghost Pepper?
About 1.2× using typical values (1,200,000 ÷ 1,001,304). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 1.2× to 2.3×.
How hot is Ghost Pepper?
Ghost Pepper: 855,000–1,041,427 SHU, lab tested.
How hot is Trinidad Moruga Scorpion?
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion: up to 2,000,000 SHU, lab tested.
Are Ghost Pepper and Trinidad Moruga Scorpion the same species?
No. Ghost Pepper is Capsicum chinense (with RAPD evidence of introgression from C. frutescens); Trinidad Moruga Scorpion is Capsicum chinense.
People also compare
- Carolina Reaper vs Ghost PepperCarolina Reaper 1.6×
- Pepper X vs Ghost PepperPepper X 2.7×
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion vs Carolina ReaperCarolina Reaper 1.4×
- Ghost Pepper vs HabaneroGhost Pepper 4.5×
- Naga Morich vs Ghost Pepperabout the same
- Raja Mircha vs Ghost Peppersame landrace
- Ghost Pepper vs Dalle KhursaniGhost Pepper 2.5×
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion vs JalapeñoTrinidad Moruga Scorpion 240×
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
- NMSU News Center, 13 Feb 2012 (Chile Pepper Institute study by Bosland, Coon, Reeves): Trinidad Moruga Scorpion: mean more than 1.2M SHU; individual plants more than 2M; method; date
- NMSU Chile Pepper Institute, 'Heat' page (archived 19 Jun 2021): Trinidad Moruga Scorpion: CPI top-10 list: Moruga 2 million SHU
Full source lists are on each pepper's page.