How Much Hotter Is Guntur Chilli Than a Jalapeño?
Guntur Chilli is hotter, at about 36,160 SHU against 5,000 SHU for Jalapeño: about 7.2× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 4.4× to 16×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Guntur Chilli | Jalapeño | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 36,160 SHU | 5,000 SHU |
| Measured range | 35,000–40,000 SHU | 2,500–8,000 SHU |
| Status | Lab tested | Lab tested |
| Species | Capsicum annuum var. longum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India (also Prakasam, Warangal, Khammam) | Mexico (named after Xalapa, Veracruz) |
| Flavour | Hot, pungent | Grassy, green-vegetal when unripe |
| Colours | red | 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, 36,160 ÷ 5,000 ≈ 7.2×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (4.4× to 16× across the measured ranges).
In between
3 peppers sit between Jalapeño and Guntur Chilli by typical heat.
- Kashmiri Chilli20,800 SHU
- Serrano15,000 SHU
- Byadgi Chilli10,000 SHU
About each pepper
Guntur Chilli: 'Sannam' means 'thin' in Telugu.
Jalapeño: A Mexican C.
Questions
Which is hotter, Guntur Chilli or Jalapeño?
Guntur Chilli. It averages about 36,160 SHU against 5,000 SHU for Jalapeño, about 7.2× as hot.
How many times hotter is Guntur Chilli than Jalapeño?
About 7.2× using typical values (36,160 ÷ 5,000). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 4.4× to 16×.
How hot is Guntur Chilli?
Guntur Chilli: 35,000–40,000 SHU, lab tested.
How hot is Jalapeño?
Jalapeño: 2,500–8,000 SHU, lab tested.
Are Guntur Chilli and Jalapeño the same species?
No. Guntur Chilli is Capsicum annuum var. longum; Jalapeño is Capsicum annuum.
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- 7 Pot Primo vs Jalapeño7 Pot Primo 280×
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
- 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.