Scoville scale

American  

[skoh-vil skeyl] / ˈskoʊ vɪl ˌskeɪl /

noun

1. a scale of spicy taste for a chile pepper when assigned a numerical measure in Scoville units or Scoville heat units, originally derived from a subjective method of measurement, the Scoville test, but now determined by a chemical measure of capsaicin levels.

---

Etymology

Origin of Scoville scale

First recorded in 1980–85; named after Wilbur L. Scoville (1865–1942), American pharmacist who created the “Scoville Organoleptic Test,” now standardized as the Scoville scale

Example Sentences

The peppers were then tested in a laboratory and Scoville scale, which measures the heat levels of chillies.

From Salon • Jan. 27, 2024

It’s not very high on the Scoville scale, but it is my absolute favorite pepper to eat.

From Scientific American • Oct. 26, 2023

That segues into the claustrophobic night terrors of Shadows Follow; while Screaming Suicide is a more straightforward metal workout that still registers at the top of the Scoville scale.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2023

Hollerpeño: The absolutely hottest pepper on the Scoville scale.

From Washington Post • Sep. 1, 2022

So there's a scale, the Scoville scale, that we chili-fanciers use to talk about how spicy a pepper is.

From Little Brother by Doctorow, Cory