How hot is Tapatío?

Tapatío Salsa Picante is rated 3,000 SHU by Wikipedia. Even the highest published figure (3,000 SHU) is below a typical jalapeño pepper (5,000 SHU).

Checked October 20, 2026 · How we source facts

3,000SHU, press figure

2published figures

Mildervs a typical jalapeño

United Statesmade in

Every published figure

Figure	Who published it	Type
3,000 SHU	Wikipedia^[1]	Press figure
3,000 SHU	The Takeout, Hot Ones sauce list^[2]	Press figure

Both published figures say 3,000, but neither is from the maker or a lab, so treat it as an estimate.

Red peppers (the label does not name the variety). Made by Tapatío Foods, Vernon, California.

Jose-Luis Saavedra Sr. founded Tapatío on 29 January 1971; the company is based in Vernon, California.^[1]
The company celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021.^[3]
Tapatío was a Hot Ones sauce in Season 2.^[2]

How many Scoville units is Tapatío?

3,000 SHU (Wikipedia); 3,000 SHU (The Takeout, Hot Ones sauce list). None of these is a published lab test of the sauce.

Is Tapatío hotter than a jalapeño?

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