Jalapeño vs Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
A side-by-side comparison of Jalapeño and Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) — heat levels, flavor profiles, culinary uses, and growing details.
Heat Comparison
Jalapeño2,500-8,000 SHU
Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)855,000-1,041,427 SHU
| Attribute | Jalapeño | Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) |
|---|---|---|
| Scoville Range | 2,500-8,000 SHU | 855,000-1,041,427 SHU |
| Heat Level | Medium | Extreme |
| Origin | N/A | N/A |
| Flavor Notes | grassy, bright, slightly sweet | fruity, smoky, intense |
| Best Uses | fresh, pickled, roasted, stuffed | hot-sauce, dried, powder |
| Cuisine Types | mexican, tex-mex, american | indian, south-asian |
| Days to Maturity | N/A | N/A |
| Plant Size | N/A | N/A |
| Color | green-red | red-orange |
| Availability | common | specialty |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jalapeño hotter than Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)?
Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) is hotter than Jalapeño. Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) reaches up to 1,041,427 SHU, while Jalapeño tops out at 8,000 SHU — roughly 130x hotter.
What's the difference between Jalapeño and Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)?
Jalapeño (2,500-8,000 SHU) has flavors of grassy, bright, slightly sweet, while Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) (855,000-1,041,427 SHU) is known for fruity, smoky, intense. They differ in heat, flavor, and best culinary applications.
Can I substitute Jalapeño for Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)?
Substituting directly is not recommended due to the significant heat difference (130x). If substituting Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) for Jalapeño, use much less. If substituting Jalapeño for Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia), you may need to add additional heat sources.