How Many Scoville Units Is The One Chip Challenge?

ByExpert Answer Last Update on

The One Chip Challenge is a viral challenge where participants eat a single tortilla chip made with the Carolina Reaper pepper, which is one of the hottest peppers in the world. The Carolina Reaper pepper can measure up to 2.2 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The Scoville scale is used to measure the spiciness or heat level of chili peppers and other spicy foods.

While the exact Scoville rating of the One Chip Challenge may vary depending on the specific batch of Carolina Reaper peppers used, it is safe to say that the challenge involves consuming a chip with a heat level that can reach up to 2.2 million SHU. This makes the One Chip Challenge an extremely spicy and potentially painful experience for those who attempt it.

Featured Answers

The one chip challenge was introduced in 2016; the chip is made with the Carolina Reaper pepper that measures up to 2.2 million Scoville heat units, which is the designated measure to judge the spiciness level of foods.

Answered from Amazon Customer

The #onechipchallenge was introduced in 2016; the chip is made with the Carolina Reaper pepper that measures up to 2.2 million Scoville heat units, which is the designated measure to judge the spiciness level of foods.

Answered from Mom Dukes

How Many Scoville Units Is The One Chip Challenge?

The viral One Chip Challenge dares participants to eat a single flavored tortilla chip infused with concentrated Carolina Reaper pepper extract purported to contain 2.2 million Scoville heat units – one of the highest ratings possible. YouTube daredevils and Paqui brand chips devised this dangerous stunt.

But experts debate whether these instantaneous extracts can scientifically achieve the full sustained burn equal to the real Carolina Reaper pepper's cumulative heat. As more attempt this brutal challenge, it is clear any exact Scoville rating proves elusive. Here we explore the intricate science, subjective experiences, and marketing hype around quantifying the One Chip's extreme spiciness.

Table of Contents

  • Origins of the Scoville Scale for Measuring Spiciness
  • About the Carolina Reaper – The World's Hottest Pepper
  • Beginnings of the One Chip Challenge YouTube Craze
  • Reported Scoville Units and Marketing for Each Release
  • Comparing Heat Levels to Other Ultra-Hot Peppers
  • Expert Skepticism About Concentrated Extract Accuracy
  • Range of Bodily Reactions to Eating the Chip
  • The Science Behind Capsaicin, Spiciness Perception, and Tolerance
  • Necessary Safety Precautions for Extreme Spice Challenges
  • Examples of Most Intense One Chip Challenge Videos
  • Legal Warnings and Disclaimers on One Chip Packaging
  • Other Spicy Challenge Foods Seeking Viral Fame
  • Conclusion on Questionable Spicy Ratings and Marketing Hype

Origins of the Scoville Scale for Measuring Spiciness

The Scoville organoleptic test was developed in 1912 by chemist Wilbur Scoville. It provides scientific numeric ratings for pepper heat based on the concentration of capsaicin oils needed to dilute a pepper extract before it stops taste testers from detecting pungency.

A higher rating in Scoville Heat Units (SHU) indicates more dilutions required and thus a hotter pepper. SHU ratings now range into the millions.

About the Carolina Reaper – The World's Hottest Pepper

The Carolina Reaper is a cultivar first bred in South Carolina in 2013 specifically for potency. Through careful crossbreeding of other ultra-hot varietals, it achieved the world record for hottest pepper in the Guinness Book.

Reapers average 1.6 million SHU but can reach up to 2.2 million SHU at maximum. They demand careful handling and preparation.

Beginnings of the One Chip Challenge YouTube Craze

Paqui brand tortilla chips collaborated with YouTube daredevils in 2016 to produce the limited release One Chip Challenge as a viral stunt. It spread rapidly across YouTube and TikTok as influencers filmed themselves struggling to eat the chip within 60 seconds amid intense heat.

Now an annual release, it exploits the public obsession with extreme foods by using Carolina Reaper extracts for seemingly unbearable but short-lived heat.

Reported Scoville Units and Marketing for Each Release

Each One Chip edition increased its boasted Scoville level:

  • 2016 – 1.5 million SHU
  • 2017 – 2 million SHU
  • 2018 – 2.2 million SHU

This aligns with hype-building marketing to make each release seem progressively hotter.

Comparing Heat Levels to Other Ultra-Hot Peppers

For perspective, here is how other super-hot peppers compare on the Scoville scale:

  • Ghost pepper – 855,000 to 1.5 million SHU
  • Habanero – 100,000 to 350,000 SHU
  • Jalapeño – 2,500 to 8,000 SHU

So the Reaper far surpasses most peppers, which the One Chip claims to replicate.

Expert Skepticism About Concentrated Extract Accuracy

However, scientists doubt concentrated extracts can fully achieve a pepper's nuanced natural heat. Extracts may sacrifice the full spectrum of capsaicin analogs and ratios occurring in real peppers. This may exaggerate initial heat spike effects.

Range of Bodily Reactions to Eating the Chip

One Chip challenge videos exhibit intense physical reactions including:

  • Coughing, gagging, gasping for air
  • Profuse sweating and nose running
  • Skin flushing, burning sensations

The instant inflammatory response accords with how extracts concentrate compounds.

The Science Behind Capsaicin, Spiciness Perception, and Tolerance

Pepper pungency derives from capsacinoids binding to pain receptors normally alerting us to heat damage, thus tricking the brain. Repeated exposure can build tolerance.

But concentrated extracts overwhelm receptors immediately, preventing adaptation.

Necessary Safety Precautions for Extreme Spice Challenges

  • Have milk, bread, peanut butter on hand to relieve burning.
  • Know your personal spice limits and allergies.
  • Don't attempt while impaired or after recent vomiting.
  • Monitor for dangerously elevated heart rate and blood pressure.

Don't let peer pressure and bravado override caution.

Legal Warnings and Disclaimers on One Chip Packaging

The One Chip Challenge boxes state clear liability warnings like:

“Seek emergency medical assistance immediately if you experience excessive vomiting, shortness of breath, or other negative reactions.”

There are reasons for such intensity disclaimers.

Other Spicy Challenge Foods Seeking Viral Fame

Seeking their own viral notoriety, multiple companies now market various ultra-hot edibles, for example:

  • Tube of Terror – Chipotle edible worms
  • Zombie Apocalypse Popcorn
  • 7 Pot Primo Peanut Brittle

But few match the Reaper extract hype…yet.

Conclusion on Questionable Spicy Ratings and Marketing Hype

In conclusion, while the Carolina Reaper itself registers up to 2.2 million Scoville units, scientifically verifying that level in the One Chip Challenge product proves questionable. The realities of extract concentration may amplify immediate heat while sacrificing nuanced buildup.

Beyond dubious ratings, these stunt foods primarily allow thrill-seekers to boast surviving short-term oral torture, rather than accurately comparing pepper heat. Proceed at your own peril.

Reference

[1] https://a-z-animals.com/blog/scoville-scale-how-hot-is-paquis-one-chip-challenge/
[2] https://paqui.com/onechipchallenge/
[3] https://www.thinkwithniche.com/blogs/details/paqui-one-chip-challenge
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/hotones/comments/12dltb4/how_does_the_one_chip_challenge_compare_to_hot/
[5] https://eatpallet.com/how-many-scoville-units-is-the-one-chip-challenge/
[6] https://www.mikeyvsfoods.com/post/the-one-chip-challenge-every-thing-you-need-to-know

Similar Posts