Fatalii facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fatalii chilli
Two ripe Fatalii chillies, with tape measure (in inches) for scale.
Species	Capsicum chinense
Cultivar	'Fatalii'
Origin	Africa
Heat	Very hot
Scoville scale	125,000–400,000 SHU

The Fatalii is a type of chili pepper known for its strong heat and fruity taste. It is a specific kind, or cultivar, of the Capsicum chinense chili species. This pepper was first grown in southern or central Africa. Its ancestors originally came from the Americas. The Fatalii pepper has a fresh, citrus-like flavor. Its heat is very strong, similar to the Habanero pepper, which is a close relative.

History of the Fatalii Pepper

All chili peppers, including the Fatalii, first came from the Americas. The Fatalii variety itself is believed to have grown and developed in Central Africa. People think this happened because of trade between the Americas and Africa. This trade has been going on for over 400 years.

Growing Fatalii Chili Plants

Fatalii chili plants usually grow about 50 to 64 centimeters (20 to 25 inches) tall. If they have perfect growing conditions, they can even reach 90 centimeters (3 feet) or more. It is best to plant them about the same distance apart.

The peppers themselves hang down from the plant. They are usually about 6 to 9 centimeters (2.5 to 3.5 inches) long. They are also about 2 to 4 centimeters (0.75 to 1.5 inches) wide.

Colors of Fatalii Peppers

Most Fatalii peppers start as a pale green color. They then turn a bright yellow when they are ripe. But you can also find less common types that are red, chocolate brown, or white.

• The red Fatalii has a slightly different taste. Its pods are shorter and wider. They change from medium green to dark red. However, this type can sometimes produce yellow or orange peppers.
• The white Fatalii tastes a lot like the yellow one. It is lighter and has more citrus flavor. Its heat is similar, maybe just a little less strong.

Taste and Heat of Fatalii Peppers

Fatalii peppers are known for their strong, fruity flavor. This flavor is often described as citrusy, like lime and lemon. The heat of the Fatalii pepper is very intense. It can be felt strongly in different parts of the mouth.

When you taste a very hot chili, the heat might first hit the back of your throat. Then it can move up towards your nose. After that, it spreads to the roof of your mouth and finally your tongue. The pain can be very strong. Some people might even sweat or get tears in their eyes.

Flavor and Heat by Color

Chili fans who have tried all four colors of Fatalii peppers report different levels of heat and flavor:

• The white Fatalii has clear citrus flavors, like lime and lemon.
• The yellow Fatalii is hotter than the white. Its unique chili fruit flavor becomes more noticeable.
• The red Fatalii is hotter than the yellow. Its fruit flavor is richer and more rounded.
• The chocolate or brown Fatalii is the hottest and sweetest of them all.

The way the heat feels also changes with the color. White and yellow Fatalii peppers tend to affect the back of the throat more. Their heat also takes longer to fade away. Red and brown Fatalii peppers cause more of a burning feeling in the mouth, especially on the tongue.

The first taste of a Fatalii pepper is usually its fruitiness and sweetness. The heat then starts after about 30 seconds. It reaches its strongest point between two and five minutes. After that, the heat slowly goes away. The heat from red and chocolate Fatalii peppers fades faster than from white and yellow ones.

Cooking with Fatalii Peppers

The Fatalii pepper is famous for its extreme heat and citrus flavor. This makes it a great ingredient for many dishes.

You can use Fatalii peppers to make very hot sauces. These sauces often include other citrus fruits, like lime and lemon. Adding oil and nuts can help to reduce the intense heat of the sauce. Many Fatalii hot sauces also include fruits such as pineapple and mango.

Fatalii peppers can be diced and used fresh. They add heat and spice to many recipes, including:

• Marinades for meats
• Salad dressings
• Barbecue sauces
• Salsa
• Chutney

You can also combine Fatalii peppers with fruit to make jelly and jam. Because their walls are thin, they are perfect for drying. Some people even report that adding Fatalii peppers to beer while brewing gives it a fruity flavor and spice.