to understand what these huge numbers mean, we can compare the Habanero with its close relative, the Cayenne pepper, which typically ranks between 30,000 and 50,000 Scoville units. The Scoville heat unit is a qualitative test relying on tasters to eat a consecutive number of preparations containing declining amounts of the pepper until its heat can no longer be detected. Since this would tend to build up the heat tolerance of any taster's tongue, it is probably wise to start your own preparations with less of the pepper, adding more with practice.