Guntur Chilli vs Cayenne
Cayenne is hotter, at about 40,000 SHU against 36,160 SHU for Guntur Chilli: about 1.1× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 0.6× to 1.4×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Guntur Chilli | Cayenne | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 36,160 SHU | 40,000 SHU |
| Measured range | 35,000–40,000 SHU | 25,000–50,000 SHU |
| Status | Lab tested | Lab tested |
| Species | Capsicum annuum var. longum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India (also Prakasam, Warangal, Khammam) | Named after Cayenne, French Guiana |
| Flavour | Hot, pungent | Sharp, clean heat |
| Colours | red | 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, 40,000 ÷ 36,160 ≈ 1.1×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (0.6× to 1.4× across the measured ranges).
About each pepper
Guntur Chilli: 'Sannam' means 'thin' in Telugu.
Cayenne: It shares its name with Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana.
Questions
Which is hotter, Guntur Chilli or Cayenne?
Cayenne. It averages about 40,000 SHU against 36,160 SHU for Guntur Chilli, about 1.1× as hot.
How many times hotter is Cayenne than Guntur Chilli?
About 1.1× using typical values (40,000 ÷ 36,160). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 0.6× to 1.4×.
How hot is Guntur Chilli?
Guntur Chilli: 35,000–40,000 SHU, lab tested.
How hot is Cayenne?
Cayenne: 25,000–50,000 SHU, lab tested.
Are Guntur Chilli and Cayenne the same species?
No. Guntur Chilli is Capsicum annuum var. longum; Cayenne is Capsicum annuum.
People also compare
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- Cayenne vs Bird's Eye ChilliBird's Eye Chilli 1.9×
- Tabasco vs Cayenneabout the same
- Kashmiri Chilli vs Guntur ChilliGuntur Chilli 1.7×
- Guntur Chilli vs Byadgi ChilliGuntur Chilli 3.6×
- Kashmiri Chilli vs CayenneCayenne 1.9×
- Cayenne vs JalapeñoCayenne 8×
Sources
- IP India GI Registry, application 143 (Guntur Sannam Chilli): Guntur Chilli: GI dates and numbers
- Spices Board India, 'List of GI Tags Registered for Spices' (as of 15/09/2026): Guntur Chilli: certificate date
- NDSU Extension FN584 'From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!': Cayenne: 30,000-50,000
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, 'Peppers Ranked by Heat': Cayenne: 25,000-50,000
Full source lists are on each pepper's page.