One Chip Challenge Scoville: The Ultimate Test of Heat

If you're a fan of spicy food, you've likely heard of the infamous One Chip Challenge. Known for its intense heat, this challenge tests your tolerance for some of the hottest peppers in the world. But how hot exactly is the One Chip Challenge, and what does "Scoville" have to do with it? In this article, we will explore the peppers used in the One Chip Challenge, the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) scale, and why this challenge is not for the faint of heart.

What Is the One Chip Challenge?

The One Chip Challenge is a viral food challenge created by the Paqui brand. Each year, Paqui releases a single chip, coated with some of the world’s hottest peppers, for people to eat in a bid to test their spice tolerance. The challenge has grown in popularity over the years, becoming a social media sensation as participants film themselves consuming the chip and attempting to handle the fiery heat that follows.

Paqui's One Chip Challenge is known for its extreme spice level, which is primarily due to the peppers it uses. These peppers are often in the range of several million Scoville Heat Units (SHU), a measure of spiciness based on the concentration of capsaicin, the chemical responsible for the heat.

Scoville Heat Unit (SHU): The Scale of Spice

The Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) is a scale used to measure the spiciness of peppers and other foods. It was developed by pharmacologist Wilbur Scoville in 1912 and is based on how much capsaicin (the compound that gives peppers their heat) is present in a pepper or hot sauce. The higher the SHU rating, the hotter the pepper.

For comparison, a bell pepper has a Scoville rating of 0 SHU, while the Carolina Reaper, one of the peppers used in the One Chip Challenge, can reach an astonishing 1.5 to 1.7 million SHU. To put that in perspective, a typical jalapeño pepper is around 3,500 to 8,000 SHU, so the Carolina Reaper is in an entirely different league of heat.

The Peppers Used in the One Chip Challenge (2016-2023)

Over the years, the peppers used in the One Chip Challenge have evolved, but one thing remains constant: the level of heat. Let’s break down the peppers used from 2016 to 2023 and their respective Scoville ratings:

2016: Carolina Reaper

• Scoville Rating: ~1.5 million SHU
  The Carolina Reaper is the most famous pepper used in the One Chip Challenge. It holds the record for the world’s hottest pepper, with a Scoville rating of up to 1.5 million SHU. This pepper is known for its intense heat, which can cause extreme discomfort for those who are not accustomed to high spice levels.

2017: Carolina Reaper & Ghost Pepper

• Scoville Ratings:
  • Carolina Reaper: ~1.5 million SHU
  • Ghost Pepper: ~1 million SHU
    In 2017, the challenge featured both the Carolina Reaper and the Ghost Pepper, another super-hot pepper with a Scoville rating of about 1 million SHU. The Ghost Pepper, also known as the Bhut Jolokia, was once considered the hottest pepper in the world before being dethroned by the Carolina Reaper.

2018 & 2019: Carolina Reaper & Scorpion Pepper

• Scoville Ratings:
  • Carolina Reaper: ~1.5 million SHU
  • Scorpion Pepper: ~1.2 million SHU
    In 2018 and 2019, the Scorpion Pepper was introduced alongside the Carolina Reaper. This pepper, with a rating of about 1.2 million SHU, added another layer of heat to the challenge.

2020: Carolina Reaper & Sichuan Pepper

• Scoville Ratings:
  • Carolina Reaper: ~1.5 million SHU
  • Sichuan Pepper: Adds numbing sensation
    In 2020, Paqui added the Sichuan Pepper to the mix, which doesn't contribute to the heat but adds a numbing sensation to the mouth. This sensation, known as "mala", makes the challenge even more intense, combining extreme heat with an unusual sensory experience.

2021 & 2022: Carolina Reaper & Scorpion Pepper

• Scoville Ratings:
  • Carolina Reaper: ~1.5 million SHU (2021)
  • Scorpion Pepper: ~1.2 million SHU (2021)
  • Carolina Reaper: ~1.7 million SHU (2022)
  • Scorpion Pepper: ~1.2 million SHU (2022)
    In 2021 and 2022, the Carolina Reaper was still the primary pepper used, but in 2022, its Scoville rating was increased to ~1.7 million SHU, intensifying the challenge. The Scorpion Pepper continued to make an appearance, adding extra heat.

2023: Carolina Reaper & Naga Viper Pepper

• Scoville Ratings:
  • Carolina Reaper: ~1.7 million SHU
  • Naga Viper Pepper: ~1.4 million SHU
    In 2023, the Naga Viper Pepper made its debut alongside the Carolina Reaper. The Naga Viper, with a rating of ~1.4 million SHU, is another extremely hot pepper, adding a potent kick to the already intense heat of the Carolina Reaper.

Why Is the One Chip Challenge So Intense?

The One Chip Challenge is intense because of the combination of extremely hot peppers and the fact that you are consuming a single chip coated with their concentrated heat. The pepper extracts used to coat the chip amplify the heat to a level that can be overwhelming for many people. The heat can cause sweating, burning sensations, and even digestive distress in some participants.

Furthermore, the Scoville rating doesn’t account for the way different people experience heat. While one person might handle the challenge relatively well, another could feel intense discomfort or even nausea. The sheer potency of the Carolina Reaper, combined with other super-hot peppers, makes the One Chip Challenge a truly daring test for anyone looking to push their limits.

Caution: The One Chip Challenge is extremely intense and is intended for adults. Participants should exercise extreme caution and be prepared for a burning sensation that may last for an extended period.