Put your pepper knowledge to the test with exercises inspired by The Garden That Burned. From seed germination to Scoville ratings, these games will sharpen your heat IQ.
Quiz: Pepper Growing & Heat Science
Why do hot pepper seeds germinate slowly compared to tomatoes?
What causes pepper plants to drop their flowers without setting fruit?
Why does a red jalapeño taste different from a green one?
What is the chemical compound responsible for the 'heat' in hot peppers?
What does 'etiolation' mean when growing pepper seedlings?
Flashcards: Pepper Varieties & Scoville Scale
Know Your Peppers
Flip each card to learn the Scoville heat range and flavor profile of popular pepper varieties.
0 SHU. Sweet, crunchy, no heat. The baseline of the Capsicum family.
2,500–8,000 SHU. Grassy, bright, moderate heat. The most widely known hot pepper in the world.
10,000–25,000 SHU. Sharp, bright, crisp heat. About 2–5× hotter than a jalapeño.
30,000–50,000 SHU. Clean, direct heat with a neutral pepper flavor. Commonly dried and ground.
100,000–350,000 SHU. Floral, tropical, fruity with intense, lasting heat. One of the most flavorful superhots.
855,000–1,041,000 SHU. Smoky, fruity, with delayed but extreme heat. First pepper to exceed 1 million SHU.
1,400,000–2,200,000 SHU. Fruity and sweet initially, then overwhelming heat. Currently one of the world's hottest peppers.
A measurement of capsaicin concentration. Originally based on dilution taste tests; now measured by HPLC chromatography.
The chemical compound (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) that triggers heat receptors. Concentrated in the placental tissue (white pith) inside the pepper.
The process of gradually acclimating indoor seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7–10 days before transplanting.
Timed Trivia: Pepper & Sauce Speed Round
60-Second Heat Challenge
Race the clock! How many pepper questions can you answer correctly?
Which pepper is hotter: serrano or jalapeño?
What color does a habanero typically ripen to?
How long do habanero seeds typically take to germinate?
What is the minimum soil temperature for transplanting peppers?
Where is capsaicin most concentrated in a pepper?
How many Scoville Heat Units does a bell pepper have?
What does SHU stand for?
Which country is the Carolina Reaper from?
Matching Pairs: Peppers and Their Heat Levels
Match the Pepper to Its Scoville Range
Find matching pairs—click a pepper variety, then click its heat range.
Ready for the full story? Read The Garden That Burned or explore the Scoville Scale Explained reference guide.
