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The Scoville Scale was developed in 1912 by Wilbur Scoville, a pharmacist from the United States. To determine the SHU, an exact weight of hot pepper is dissolved in alcohol to extract the capsaicinoids components. These components are then diluted in a solution of sugar water and decreasing concentrations are given to a panel of trained tasters until a majority can no longer detect them in a diluted form. The heat level is then rated based on this dilution in multiples of 100 SHU. This system was initially purely organoleptic but nowadays is measured using HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) to prevent any deviation from sensory fatigue or the chosen panel´s resistance.

Chili powders come in at between 500 and 1,500 Scoville units. That's enough to produce a mild burn, but not enough to make really spicy foods.