What scale is utilized to measure the concentration of capsaicin in various peppers?
Answer
Scoville Heat Unit (SHU)
The concentration of the active chemical, capsaicin, within a chili pepper determines how hot it tastes, and this intensity is quantified using the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) scale. This metric provides a standardized way to compare the perceived heat across different varieties of peppers. The scale ranges significantly; for example, bell peppers register at zero SHU because they contain virtually no capsaicin, while the hottest cultivated varieties can achieve measurements extending up into the millions of SHU, reflecting an extremely high density of the heat-inducing compound.

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