Habanero vs. ghost pepper: how big the jump is
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The ghost pepper is hotter, by about 2.4 times. In our lab tests the SpiceQuest chili grinder no. 5 Ghost tested at 417,166 Scoville units and no. 4 Habanero at 171,446. The difference is 245,720 units.
The jump in numbers
| Grinder | Tested Scoville units | Our heat tier |
|---|---|---|
| No. 4 Habanero | 171,446 | Hot, 100,000 to 349,999 |
| No. 5 Ghost | 417,166 | Superhot, 350,000 to 999,999 |
The step from no. 4 to no. 5 crosses from one tier into the next. Among our ten numbered grinders it is the second biggest step as a multiple. Only the step from no. 2 to no. 3 is bigger, at about 2.7 times. For comparison, the step before it, from no. 3 Bird's Eye to no. 4 Habanero, is about 1.6 times.
A kitchen reference helps here. The top of a jalapeño's published range is 8,000 Scoville units. Our habanero result is about 21 times that, and our ghost result is about 52 times.
Both grinders are pure pepper. Every number we have tested is in the Scoville chart.
The timing changes too
The two peppers also deliver their heat at a different pace.
Habanero is fast. The heat reaches full strength almost at once, spreads through the whole mouth and holds through the meal. The taste under it is citrus with a light floral note. Try it on avocado toast, on tacos with lime, or on anything served with mango or pineapple. Our habanero page has more.
Ghost pepper is slow. The heat builds, then it gets very hot, covers the whole mouth and lasts a long time. The taste is smoky and sweet, with some fruit. Because the heat arrives late, press once and wait a minute before you press again. Try it on curry, salsa or anything with barbecue sauce. See our ghost pepper page.
Which one to buy
No. 4 Habanero suits someone who uses hot sauce every day and has never gone further. No. 5 Ghost suits someone who finds habanero comfortable and wants the next step.
To try the jump yourself, the Jr Pathfinder holds no. 4, no. 5 and no. 6 together. Start with the habanero.
Questions people ask
How many times hotter is a ghost pepper than a habanero? About 2.4 times in our tests: 417,166 Scoville units for no. 5 Ghost against 171,446 for no. 4 Habanero.
What comes after ghost pepper? On our numbered scale, no. 6 Brain Strain at 650,785 Scoville units. Further up, our pure Carolina Reaper tested at 975,612, and Ghost pepper vs. Carolina Reaper covers that step.
Sources
- Chili Pepper Madness, The Scoville scale, for the jalapeño range