How hot are Flamin Hot Cheetos on the Scoville scale? - Resto NYC (2024)

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos are a spicy variety of Cheetos that have become hugely popular, especially among younger consumers. But just how hot are they in terms of scoville units, the scale used to measure a chili pepper’s pungency and heat? Let’s take a look at the scoville rating for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos to see where they fall on the spice spectrum.

What is the Scoville Scale?

The Scoville scale is the measurement system used to rate the pungency of chili peppers and spicy foods. It was created by American chemist Wilbur Scoville in 1912 while he was working at the Parke-Davis pharmaceutical company. The scale provides a measure of the capsaicin content of a pepper, which gives it heat and spiciness.

On the Scoville scale, the heat of a chili pepper is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The number refers to the amount of a diluted capsaicin solution needed to overwhelm burning sensations on the tongue. The scale ranges from 0 SHU for a mild bell pepper up to over 3 million SHU for the hottest chili peppers in the world.

Here is an overview of the Scoville scale categories:

As you go up the scale, the peppers increase exponentially in heat and pungency. Ghost peppers and Carolina Reaper peppers are some of the hottest in the 1 million+ SHU range. The spiciest pepper currently is the Pepper X, which clocks in at over 3.1 million SHU!

How Scoville Ratings are Determined

The scoville scale is an empirical measurement dependent on the capsaicin concentration. Capsaicin is the chemical compound in chili peppers that gives them their heat and spiciness. To measure a pepper’s scoville rating, these steps are followed:

1. The pepper is made into an alcohol extract.
2. The extract is systematically diluted in sugar syrup until the spiciness is no longer detected by a panel of 5 taste testers.
3. The degree of dilution at which the extract stops tasting spicy indicates the amount of capsaicin present.
4. This rating is converted into scoville heat units, with higher SHUs meaning more dilution was needed.

When scoville ratings were originally measured, the dilution was done by hand. Now, chemical processes like high-performance liquid chromatography are used to get more precise measurements.

Scoville Rating for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

The scoville rating for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos falls in the mid-range on the spice scale. According to Frito-Lay, the company that makes Cheetos, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos have a scoville rating between 2500 to 4000 SHU.

This means that Flamin’ Hot Cheetos are in the higher end of the “hot” category, getting close to “very hot” on the scoville scale. While they have some decent kick, they are not nearly one of the hottest peppers or spicy snacks out there. Their heat level can best be described as warmly spicy with a slow building burn.

For Comparison:

• A jalapeño pepper ranges from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU
• Sriracha hot sauce is around 2,200 SHU
• Tabasco hot sauce is 2,500-5,000 SHU
• Habanero peppers are a blistering 200,000 to 350,000 SHU

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos have enough heat from spices like red chili peppers and cayenne to give some kick, but not enough to overwhelm or burn. Their scoville rating shows they are spicy and seasoned snacks without going overboard on the heat.

Other Factors that Contribute to the Perceived Spiciness

While scoville ratings give an objective measurement of spiciness, there are other factors that affect how hot Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and other spicy foods actually taste:

Individual Tolerance

Every person’s sensitivity to spicy heat is different based on their taste buds and prior experiences eating spicy foods. Building a tolerance means you become less sensitive to capsaicin and thus perceive foods as less spicy relative to your own baseline.

Serving Temperature

Temperature enhances perceived spiciness. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos taste hottest when freshly opened from a package versus left to sit out in the open air.

Amount Consumed

Taking small bites of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos spreads out the spiciness versus eating handfuls, which concentrates the heat all at once.

Other Seasonings

In addition to hot chili spices, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos are seasoned with flavors like cheese, garlic and onion. These complement and cut down the heat rather than intensify it.

Food Pairings

Drinking milk is a common way to counteract spicy heat, since caseins from the milk interact with capsaicin to wash it away. Eating Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with dairy neutralizes the burn.

Health Concerns of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

While Flamin’ Hot Cheetos aren’t extremely hot in terms of scoville units, some health concerns have been raised about their spicy seasoning:

Gastrointestinal Issues

The spices and oil in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos may cause stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea or other digestives problems in some people, especially those not used to spicy snacks.

Gastric Ulcers

Capsaicin can irritate the lining of the stomach and has been linked to development of ulcers in high amounts.

Addictive Properties

The combination of fat, salt and spiciness may have an addictive effect on the brain for some individuals.

Nutritional Value

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos are high in calories, fat, and sodium with minimal nutrients. The spicy coating provides flavor without additional nutritional benefits.

Overall, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos are best enjoyed occasionally as a spicy treat. Moderation is key due to their low nutritional value and potential gastrointestinal effects.

Conclusion

On the scoville scale, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos rank in the 2500 to 4000 SHU range, placing them in the upper end of “hot” without quite reaching “very hot.” While their exact scoville rating depends on the batch, this spicy snack packs moderate heat compared to truly fiery peppers like habaneros. Their seasoning provides a slow burn and warming tingle without being overwhelmingly hot.

However, the perceived spiciness of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos can vary between individuals based on tolerance levels. Overall, understanding their scoville rating helps quantify the heat provided by their signature spicy seasoning.