Hot Ones, the popular YouTube show featuring celebrities enduring increasingly spicy wings, has captivated audiences worldwide. The show's signature sauce, Los Calientes Rojos, frequently sparks curiosity about its exact heat level on the Scoville scale. This article delves into the fiery world of Hot Ones, Los Calientes Rojos, and the Scoville scale, answering your burning questions (pun intended!).
What is the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU)?
The Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) is a measurement of the pungency (spiciness or "heat") of chili peppers, as reported by the Scoville organoleptic test. Developed by American pharmacist Wilbur Scoville in 1912, the test involves diluting a chili pepper extract in sugar water until the heat is no longer detectable by a panel of tasters. The dilution factor determines the SHU rating. A higher SHU number indicates a hotter pepper.
What is the Scoville rating of Los Calientes Rojos?
The exact Scoville rating of Los Calientes Rojos is not publicly released by First We Feast, the company behind Hot Ones. This adds to the mystique and anticipation surrounding the sauce. However, based on the peppers used and the overall heat experienced by guests on the show, we can estimate it to be in the range of 100,000–150,000 SHU. This places it firmly in the realm of extremely hot sauces, far exceeding the heat of many commercially available options.
What peppers are in Los Calientes Rojos?
While the precise recipe remains a closely guarded secret, Los Calientes Rojos is known to contain a blend of several high-SHU peppers. We can speculate based on the visible ingredients and the overall heat profile: likely candidates include various varieties of habaneros, scotch bonnets, and potentially ghost peppers or other superhots, albeit in lesser quantities to control the overall heat and flavor profile. The blend creates a complex flavor profile that goes beyond just pure heat.
How does Los Calientes Rojos compare to other hot sauces?
Compared to many commercially available hot sauces, Los Calientes Rojos sits at the higher end of the spectrum. Many common hot sauces fall within the range of a few thousand to tens of thousands of SHU. Los Calientes Rojos, with its estimated 100,000–150,000 SHU, surpasses these significantly, placing it among the hottest sauces regularly consumed (albeit by brave individuals!).
Is Los Calientes Rojos the hottest sauce on Hot Ones?
No, Los Calientes Rojos is not the hottest sauce featured on Hot Ones. The show progressively introduces increasingly hotter sauces, culminating in incredibly potent options like the infamous Da Bomb and others that clock in at far higher SHU levels. Los Calientes Rojos serves as a significant, though not the ultimate, test of spice tolerance.
Where can I buy Los Calientes Rojos?
While not always readily available in all stores, Los Calientes Rojos and other Hot Ones sauces can often be purchased directly through the First We Feast website or via select online retailers.
What should I do if Los Calientes Rojos is too hot?
If the heat of Los Calientes Rojos becomes overwhelming, there are a few things you can try:
- Drink milk or yogurt: The dairy fat helps to bind the capsaicin, reducing the burning sensation.
- Eat something bread-based or starchy: Bread, rice, or potatoes can also help absorb some of the heat.
- Don't drink water: Water can actually spread the capsaicin around your mouth, making it feel hotter.
This comprehensive look at Los Calientes Rojos provides insight into its heat level, ingredients, and relative position within the world of spicy sauces. Remember, always approach extremely hot sauces with caution and respect their fiery power!
