How Much Hotter Is Red Savina Than a Jalapeño?
Red Savina is hotter, at about 248,556 SHU against 5,000 SHU for Jalapeño: about 50× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 31× to 231×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Red Savina | Jalapeño | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 248,556 SHU | 5,000 SHU |
| Measured range | 248,556–577,000 SHU | 2,500–8,000 SHU |
| Status | Guinness record | Lab tested |
| Species | Capsicum chinense | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Walnut, California, USA | Mexico (named after Xalapa, Veracruz) |
| Flavour | Not documented | Grassy, green-vegetal when unripe |
| Colours | dark 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, 248,556 ÷ 5,000 ≈ 50×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (31× to 231× across the measured ranges).
In between
11 peppers sit between Jalapeño and Red Savina by typical heat.
- Habanero225,000 SHU
- Scotch Bonnet225,000 SHU
- Datil200,000 SHU
- Kanthari80,640 SHU
- Bird's Eye Chilli75,000 SHU
- Cayenne40,000 SHU
- Tabasco40,000 SHU
- Guntur Chilli36,160 SHU
About each pepper
Red Savina: A habanero selection bred by Frank Garcia of GNS Spices.
Jalapeño: A Mexican C.
Questions
Which is hotter, Red Savina or Jalapeño?
Red Savina. It averages about 248,556 SHU against 5,000 SHU for Jalapeño, about 50× as hot.
How many times hotter is Red Savina than Jalapeño?
About 50× using typical values (248,556 ÷ 5,000). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 31× to 231×.
How hot is Red Savina?
Red Savina: 248,556–577,000 SHU, guinness record.
How hot is Jalapeño?
Jalapeño: 2,500–8,000 SHU, lab tested.
Are Red Savina and Jalapeño the same species?
No. Red Savina is Capsicum chinense; Jalapeño is Capsicum annuum.
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Sources
- Bosland & Baral, HortScience 42(2):222-224 (2007), New Mexico State University: Red Savina: 577,000 Guinness figure; 248,556 trial result
- NMSU Chile Pepper Institute, 'Heat' page (archived 19 Jun 2021): Red Savina: 500,000 SHU peak
- 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.