• If you can't find a "Hot" category that fits, post it here!

Scoville Units

Nicole

Nicole

So...who tests peppers/hot sauces? Is there a more sophisticated machine that currently does it, oppose to Scoville's original, extremely flawed way? I saw some where selling something that tests scoville units but I thought it was bullshit.. especially because it was very narrow as to what heat level/peppers that it would test; so if it said it tested habaneros, and you tested a habanero, the thing would probably be in the range of 250,000 since thats already known...thats why I figured it was B.S.

Let me know what you guys know about this....thanks

xox nicole
 
The little I've checked into it, the labs that test scoville units cost around $250+. Scoville uses live persons tasting the diluted solution which is why it isn't necessarily exact.

There is another test out there for levels of capcasin. It uses a different scale.
 
http://www.chilefoundry.co.uk/2010/02/19/oxford-university%E2%80%99s-develops-compact-scoville-measurement-device/

if this is the gadget you are refering to, it is a beta device and I don't think I would trust its accuracy this early in the game. Sounds like it uses a similar model to that of those $20 alcohol breath analyzers, I would bank on one of those saving me from a drunk driving conviction. But, in this case, since there is no fine involved and no potential lose of life(except if a chilihead has a heart attack after seeing his pepper rated 1.7 on the scale) I think a "close enough" reading would be fine. Again, I would wait for the second round of gadget to be released.

one of the other newer technologies that i would be interested in is the new DNA devices. i have heard of a group pushing for a government regulation to test all food a create a database of DNA food products. part of this has to do with GE seeds and those groups that are against GE foods. many horticular societies would benefit from it as well, i think its the african violet society that holds big events and people present and sell their prized A/V - they could track the various strains.
 
I believe oleoresin contains more than just capsaisin, so you'd likely have to seperate the sugars and other capsaisinoids too.
If the expensive labs have a hard time getting things right, I don't think a cheap hand held device will be very accurate.

What about the Dremman scale...lol :)
 
POTAWIE said:
I believe oleoresin contains more than just capsaisin, so you'd likely have to seperate the sugars and other capsaisinoids too.
If the expensive labs have a hard time getting things right, I don't think a cheap hand held device will be very accurate.

What about the Dremman scale...lol :)
Click to expand...

true, and i think there are like three major capsaicinoids, but i would think that the amount of oil would give you at least a rudimentary guess.
 
im lost. but thanks lol :o)

using people to test is SO flawed, that would never fly for anything official.

.... i mean, in my book.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top