ChilliFacts

How hot is Cholula?

Cholula Original Hot Sauce is rated 1,000–2,000 SHU by its maker, Cholula. Even the highest published figure (3,600 SHU) is below a typical jalapeño pepper (5,000 SHU).

Checked October 20, 2026 · How we source facts

1,000–2,000SHU, maker’s figure
2published figures
Mildervs a typical jalapeño
Mexicomade in

Every published figure

FigureWho published itType
1,000–2,000 SHUCholula (maker), cited by Wikipedia[1]Maker’s figure
3,600 SHUThe Takeout, Hot Ones sauce list[2]Press figure

The figures disagree. The maker's own range is 1,000–2,000, while the Hot Ones list gives 3,600. The maker's range is the more direct source, but neither cites a lab test.

What’s inside

Árbol and piquín chillies. Made by Cholula (McCormick & Company), made in Chapala, Jalisco.

Maker’s page

Facts

  • Cholula was first sold in the US in Austin, Texas, in 1989. The Harrison family has made it in Chapala for three generations.[1]
  • McCormick agreed to buy Cholula for $800 million in cash, announced on 24 November 2020.[3]
  • Cholula was a Hot Ones sauce in Season 1.[2]

Questions

How many Scoville units is Cholula?

1,000–2,000 SHU (Cholula (maker), cited by Wikipedia); 3,600 SHU (The Takeout, Hot Ones sauce list). None of these is a published lab test of the sauce.

Is Cholula hotter than a jalapeño?

Even the highest published figure (3,600 SHU) is below a typical jalapeño pepper (5,000 SHU).

More hot sauces

Sources

  1. Cholula (maker) (via Wikipedia): Cholula: 1,000–2,000 SHU (secondary source)
  2. The Takeout, Hot Ones sauce list: Cholula: 3,600 SHU (secondary source)
  3. Nasdaq (McCormick announcement): Cholula (secondary source)