List of Capsicum cultivars facts for kids
This is a list of Capsicum cultivars belonging to the five major species of cultivated peppers (genus Capsicum): C. annuum, C. chinense, C. baccatum, C. frutescens, and C. pubescens. Due to the large and changing number of cultivars, and the variation of cultivar namings in different regions, this list only gives a few examples of the estimated 50,000 pepper varieties that exist.
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Capsicum species
There are perhaps fifty thousand Capsicum cultivars grown worldwide. The USDA-ARS GRIN seed collection contains 6,200 Capsicum accessions alone, including 4,000 Capsicum annuum accessions. The other Capsicum species in the USDA germplasm repository include: C. chinense, C. baccatum, C. frutescens, C. pubescens, C. cardenasii, C. chacoense, C. flexuosum, C. eximium, C. rhomboideum, C. galapagoense, and C. tovarii.
There are five major species of cultivated Capsicum, C. annuum, C. chinense, C. baccatum, C. frutescens, C. pubescens, and within those species are several "taxonomic varieties". Because of the ability of many of species to cross and generate inter-specific hybrids, albeit with low success, there are also what is referred to as "complexes" within the genus Capsicum of closely related and sexually compatible species. This includes the Capsicum annuum complex, which consists of C. annuum, C. frutescens, and C. chinense.
Major species and their taxonomic varieties:
- Capsicum annuum, which includes bell peppers, cayennes, Friggitello, jalapeños, paprika, and serrano.
- Capsicum baccatum, which includes the South American varieties, such as ají amarillo, ají limón, and criolla sella.
- Capsicum chinense, which includes all of the Habaneros, Scotch Bonnets, Trinidad Scorpions, the Bhut Jolokia, and the Carolina Reaper.
- Capsicum frutescens, which includes the Tabasco pepper and many of the peppers grown in India; sometimes not distinguished as a species separate from C. annuum.
- Capsicum pubescens, which includes the Rocoto and Manzano pepper, are distinctive plants, having violet flowers, black seeds, and hairy dark green leaves, and grow as a large, multi-stemmed vine up to 5 meters long.
Cultivars
The species and varieties include many economically important cultivars with a variety of different shapes, colors, and flavors that are grown for different purposes, such as spices, vegetables, and herbal medicines. Some confusion has resulted from the legal term "plant variety", which is used interchangeably with "cultivar" (not with "taxonomic variety"). The terminology around a cultivar also includes terms such as heirloom, open-pollinated, self-pollinating, and hybrid.
Heirloom varieties are typically those that have been selected and grown historically with seeds saved every year, and are still maintained today in similar fashion, such as the blocky-type California Wonder. Open-pollinated varieties are those that are maintained without strict barriers to prevent outcrossing and then seed is collected at and stored from each harvest such as the lamuyo-type Marconi Yellow. While open-pollinated varieties are typically true-to-type, there may be occasional outcrossing to other Capsicum varieties that may introduce some heterogeneity. Self-pollinated varieties are similar to open-pollinated varieties in that they are true-to-type and seed is collected at and stored from each harvest, but measures are taken to minimize outcrossing. This may involve placing a barrier such as a mesh bag or cage over the plant to prevent pollinators from reaching flowers, ensuring that the plant has "selfed". This is how much seed intended for home-garden use is produced, like the cultivar Early Jalapeño. These three types of cultivar seed production are all similar in that only one parent is used and the seed are produced generally through selfing.
Hybrid varieties take advantage of a phenomenon called heterosis or hybrid vigor, which occurs in pepper. To generate a hybrid variety, two self-pollinated varieties are intentionally crossed, and all seed from this cross are collected. The new hybrid variety typically is more vigorous than either of the two parents contributing to traits such as higher yield. Inter-specific crossing may result in a hybrid of diminished fertility due to specific genetic incompatibilities. In some cases, this may be overcome by deliberately selecting which of the two parents is to be the female parent in the cross. Hybrid seed if saved will not produce a homogeneous set of plants the next generation, meaning that the two parents will need to be crossed again to generate more hybrid seed. This method is used to produce hybrid Capsicum cultivars such as the blocky-types Double-Up and Orange Blaze. Much of the commercial pepper production uses hybrid varieties for their improved traits.
Capsicum annuum
Capsicum annuum, native from southern North America through Central America to South America, has been cultivated by Indigenous peoples of the Americas for thousands of years, and globally for over 400 years. Its fruit forms are varied, from large to small, sweet to sour, and very hot/pungent to bland. Despite being a single species, C. annuum has many forms, with a variety of names, even in the same language. Official names aside, in American English, any variety lacking heat is colloquially known as a sweet pepper, and those sweet peppers that have a blocky-shape are referred to as bell peppers. A variety that produces capsaicin is colloquially known as a hot pepper or chili pepper. In British English, the sweet varieties are called "peppers" and the hot varieties "chillies", whereas in Australian English and Indian English, the name "capsicum" is commonly used for bell peppers exclusively and "chilli" is often used to encompass the hotter varieties.
The plant is a tender perennial subshrub, with a densely branched stem. The plant reaches 0.5–1.5 m (20–59 in). Single white flowers develop into the fruit, which is typically green when unripe, but may lack chlorophyll causing a white color. Ripening fruits usually change to red, although some varieties may ripen to yellow, orange, peach, brown, or purple. The species are grown in temperate climates as an annual, but they are especially productive in warm and dry climates.
| Image | Name | Type | Origin | Heat | Pod size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Aleppo | Syria and Turkey | 15,000 SHU | Grown in Syria and Turkey and used, in coarsely ground, dried form, as a spice that is also called aleppo pepper | ||
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Anaheim | Anaheim | United States | 500–2,500 SHU | 15 cm (5.9 in) | A mild variety of New Mexico chile. It was later brought to California from New Mexico by Emilio Ortega in the 1900s. Often it is used for chile relleno. When mature, it takes on a red color and is referred to as a colorado. |
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Baklouti | Tunisia | 1,000–5,000 SHU | Grown in North Africa. Used in Harissa. | ||
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Banana | Waxy | 0–500 SHU | 15 cm (5.9 in) | Often it is pickled and used as an ingredient in sandwiches; its piquancy is not very hot. Its shape and color resemble a banana. | |
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Bird's Eye | Small hot | Southeast Asia | 50,000–100,000 SHU | 4 cm (1.6 in) | A Southeast Asian cultivar known by many local names, but generally it is called Thai chili in the United States. It has thin fruit with a pointed tip. |
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Black Heart | Ornamental/
Culinary |
Austria | 5,000–20,000 SHU | 2–3 cm (≈ 0.8-1.2 in) | Plants can grow up to 1.2 m (47 in), the flowers are purple. Young leaves show purple veins, which may turn dark green later on. The heart-shaped fruits mature from black to red. |
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Black Hungarian | Ornamental/
Culinary |
Hungary | 5,000–10,000 SHU | 5–7 cm (≈ 2–3 in) | Grows in a conical shape with a slight curve near the tip.
Starting from green, they ripen first to a slightly shiny deep purple to black which is only skin deep; when sliced open, the thick flesh of the interior is green. As it continues to ripen, it morphs to red. |
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Cascabel | Mexico | 3,000 SHU | 2.5 cm (1 in) | The small, round fruit are usually dried, and have a distinct, nutty flavor. The name, Spanish for "rattle" or "jingle bell", derives from the rattling noise made by the seeds inside the dried pod. | |
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Cayenne (Red) | Cayenne | French Guiana | 30,000–50,000 SHU | 13 cm (5 in) | This long, thin fruit was transported by the Portuguese to China and India, where it is used widely. Often it is dried and ground into powder. |
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Cherry | Pimiento | 100-500 SHU | 2.5 cm (1 in) | Named for the fruit it resembles, this cultivar's fruit is small, red, and round. It is typically used fresh, or pickled and jarred, and is often used to stuff green olives. It is also called pimento. | |
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Cheongyang | long, hot | Korea | 10,000 SHU | a medium-sized chilli cultivar, named after Cheongsong and Yeongyang Counties when developed by Dr Yoo Il-Woong(유일웅), by hybridizing local Jejudo chilli with Bird's eye chilli. | |
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Chilaca | Pasilla | Mexico | 1,000–2,000 SHU | 15 cm (5.9 in) | Popular in Mexican cuisine, it is almost always encountered dried; in this state, it is referred to as a pasilla. The pasilla has a dark brown color and a smoky flavor. |
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Chiltepin | Chiltepin | Mexico | 50,000–100,000 SHU | 0.5 cm (0.20 in) | This small, hot fruit is often eaten by birds. The plant is thought to be the ancestor of the cultivated C. annuum peppers. Evidence indicates it has been consumed by humans as far back as 7,500 BC. |
| Chimayó | United States | 4,000–6,000 SHU | ||||
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Cubanelle | 1–1,000 SHU | 13 cm (5 in) | Medium in thickness, the tapered fruit is green when unripe, but turns red when mature. Often it is fried in Italian cooking. | ||
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Dangjo | Korea | Light green or bright yellow chili peppers with mild heat. | |||
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De Árbol | Mexico | 15,000–30,000 SHU | 8 cm (3.1 in) | This slender-fruited cultivar is grown primarily in Mexico, its name is Spanish for "from a tree". | |
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Facing Heaven | Pimiento | China | 30,000-50,000SHU | ||
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Fish | 5,000–30,000 SHU | ||||
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Fresno | Fresno | United States | 2,500–10,000 SHU | 9 cm (3.5 in) | Similar to the jalapeño, but with thinner walls, it is generally used ripe, and has a higher vitamin content. Frequently it is used in ceviche, and is one of the most frequently used chilis in salsa. |
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Friggitelli (Peperoncini) | Waxy | Italy | 100–500 SHU | 8 cm (3.1 in) | Sweet-tasting and mild, used extensively in Italian and Greek cuisine, very frequently pickled. |
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Guntur chilli | 30,000–350,000 SHU | It is well known as a commercial crop used as a condiment, culinary supplement, or vegetable. | |||
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Hungarian Wax | Waxy | 2,500–8,000 SHU | This wide, medium-hot variety is used in Hungarian cuisine, frequently pickled. Also it is commonly dried, ground, and presented as "paprika". | ||
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Italian Sweet | Long, sweet | Italy | Used in Spanish cuisine | ||
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Jalapeño | Jalapeño | Mexico | 2,500–8,000 SHU | 9 cm (3.5 in) | Very popular, especially in the United States, it is often pickled or canned. A smoke-dried ripe jalapeño is referred to as a chipotle. |
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Korean chili | Korea | 1,500 SHU | 7.6–10.2 cm (3–4 in) | Also known as "Korean Dark Green", "Korean Long Green", "Korean Red" or "Korean Hot" | |
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Medusa | Ornamental | It is a sweet, ornamental chili pepper which grows upright and has brightly colored fruit. | |||
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Mirasol | Mexico | 2,000–5,000 SHU | The dried form of the Mirasol chili is called guajillo, and is used to make a red sauce used for tamales. | ||
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NuMex peppers | Ornamental | United States | The Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University has developed a number of unusual chile cultivars. NuMex Twilight peppers pictured. | ||
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Peter Pepper | Ornamental | United States and Mexico | 5,000–30,000 SHU | 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 in) | Rare, heirloom-type hot pepper cultivated for its unique shape. |
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Peperoncino | Cayenne | Italy | 15,000–30,000 SHU | Generic Italian name for hot chili peppers, specifically the cultivars of the species Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens. | |
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Peperone crusco | Sweet | Italy | 0 SHU | Italian name for crispy pepper, a dry and sweet variety of capsicum annuum typical of the Basilicata region. | |
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Pequin | Small Hot | Mexico | 100,000–140,000 SHU | Also spelled piquín | |
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Piment d'Espelette | Pimiento | Basque Country (French part) | 1,500 - 2,500 SHU | Fresh fruits, plants and seeds are known as "Gorria", dried fruits are called "Piment d'Espelette". "Gorria" is the Basque word for "red".
Grown in Espelette since ca. 1650. |
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Padrón | Pimiento | Spain | 500–5,000 SHU | 3.5–6 cm (1.4–2.4 in) | Sometimes also called pimientos de Herbón, from the spanish region of Galicia. Most are mild and very tasty, though about 1 out of 10 may be quite hot. |
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Poblano | Poblano | Mexico | 1,000–2,000 SHU | 13 cm (5.1 in) | The large, heart-shaped, dark green fruit is extremely popular in Mexico, often to make chile relleno. When harvested early and dried, it is referred to as an ancho, When fully mature and dried, it is referred to as a mulato. |
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Prik Kee Nu | Small Hot | Thailand | 50,000–100,000 SHU | 3 cm (1.2 in) | One of many cultivars called Thai pepper, it has very short fruit, and is very hot. Thai: พริกขี้หนู, RTGS: phrik khi nu, IPA: [pʰrík kʰîː nǔː], literal: Mouse/rat dropping chili. |
| Puya | Mexico | 5,000 SHU | Capsicum annuum L., hot, medium-size, green to red, and tapered Also known as a 'Pulla'. | |||
| Santa Fe Grande | Fresno | The Santa Fe Grande is a very prolific variety used in the Southwestern United States. The conical, blunt fruits ripen from greenish-yellow, to orange-yellow to red. The peppers grow upright on 24-inch plants. Santa Fe Grande has a slightly sweet taste and is fairly mild in pungency. | ||||
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Serrano | Serrano | Mexico | 10,000–23,000 SHU | 5 cm (2.0 in) | The thin, tapered fruit turns red when mature. Due to its thin skin, it does not need to be peeled before use. |
| Shishito | Japan | 50-200 SHU | ||||
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Siling Mahaba | Philippines | 50,000 SHU | A chili pepper grown in the Philippines, and a popular ingredient in Filipino Cuisine |
Capsicum baccatum
These have a distinctive, fruity flavor, and are commonly ground into colorful powders for use in cooking, each identified by its color.
| Image | Name | Origin | Heat | Pod size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Bishop's Crown | 10,000–30,000 SHU | 6 cm (2.4 in) | C. baccatum strain from Barbados. Medium hot pods have a unique shape which resembles the hat of a bishop. Sturdy plants, can be grown as perennials. Also known as bishops hat, orchid, ají flor, monks hat. | |
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Lemon Drop | 30,000–50,000 SHU | 4 cm (1.6 in) | Very productive C. baccatum variety. Pods are thin walled and have a fruity taste with medium heat. | |
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Piquante pepper | 1,000–2,000 SHU | 2 cm (0.79 in) | Mild, sweet and tangy flavour, usable in many dishes |
Capsicum chinense
Capsicum chinense or "Chinese capsicum" is a misnomer since all Capsicum species originated in the New World. Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin (1727–1817), a Dutch botanist, named the species in that way in 1776 because he believed they originated in China. Most of the peppers of this species have a distinctive flavor and are similar in flavor to each other.
| Image | Name | Origin | Heat | Pod size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Adjuma | 100,000–500,000 SHU | Very hot, originally cultivated in Suriname | ||
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Ají Dulce | 0–500 SHU | It is a type of seasoning pepper. It refers to a specific variety of Capsicum chinense that is related to the habanero but with a much milder flavor. | ||
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Bhut Jolokia | Northeast India | Up to 1,040,000 SHU | 6 cm (2.4 in) | This cultivar was once confirmed by Guinness World Records to be the hottest pepper. It is an interspecific hybrid, largely C. chinense with some C. frutescens genes. It is also known as naga jolokia and ghost pepper. |
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Carolina Reaper | United States | 1,569,300–2,200,000 SHU | Extremely hot pepper, currently the Guinness book of world records holder as of August 7, 2013. Developed from Bhut Jolokia | |
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Datil | 100,000–300,000 SHU | A very hot chili; primarily grown in Florida | ||
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Fatalii | 125,000–325,000 SHU | 6 cm (2.4 in) | Grown in central and southern Africa, it is very similar in appearance to and often confused with the devil's tongue habanero. | |
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Habanero | 100,000–350,000 SHU | 5 cm (2.0 in) | Once considered to be the hottest chili pepper, the habanero has been surpassed by other hot varieties, but it is nonetheless hotter than most commonly available cultivars. The habanero has a subtle, fruity flavour and a floral aroma. It is closely related to many other very hot peppers. Disseminated to China over 500 years ago by Spanish and Portuguese explorers, it became so much a part of Chinese cuisine, botanists who found it in China thought it was native to the area and thus named this species Capsicum chinense, based on the habaneros from China. | |
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Hainan Yellow Lantern | 300,000 SHU | 5 cm × 3 cm (2.0 in × 1.2 in) | Also known as the yellow emperor chili, it grows only in Hainan, China. | |
| Infinity chili | 1,176,182 SHU | ||||
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Madame Jeanette | 100,000–350,000 SHU | Originally cultivated in Suriname | ||
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Naga Morich | Bangladesh and India | 1,000,000 SHU | ||
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Naga Viper | England | 1,382,118 SHU | ||
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NuMex peppers | United States | The Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University has developed a number of unusual chile cultivars. NuMex Suave Orange peppers pictured. | ||
| Red Savina | United States | 200,000–580,000 SHU | |||
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Scotch Bonnet | 150,000–325,000 SHU | 5 cm (2.0 in) | Named because of its resemblance to a Tam o' Shanter, this fruit is closely related to the habanero and is similarly hot. Due to its heat and distinct flavour, it is often used in Caribbean cuisine. | |
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Trinidad moruga scorpion | Up to 2,000,000 SHU | Former World-record holder for hottest chili as of 2012. | ||
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Trinidad Scorpion 'Butch T' | Up to 1,400,000 SHU | Former world-record hottest chili. |
Capsicum frutescens
Sometimes considered to be the same species as C. annuum
| Image | Name | Origin | Heat | Pod size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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African Birdseye | Mozambique | 50,000–175,000 SHU | 2.5 cm (1 in) | Also known as piri piri, it is common in Portuguese, Mozambican, and Angolan cuisines. |
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Kambuzi | Malawi | Kambuzi is a small, round chili pepper cultivar that is found in central region of Malawi, a landlocked country in southeast Africa. | ||
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Siling Labuyo | Philippines | 80,000–100,000 SHU | 2.5 cm (1 in) | A small, cone-shaped cultivar grown in the Philippines. |
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Tabasco | Mexico | 30,000–50,000 SHU | 4 cm (1.6 in) | Used in Tabasco sauce. The fruit is only used when it is a particular red color measured with "le petit bâton rouge". |
| Xiao mi la pepper | China | 75,000 SHU | The name xiao mi la literally translates to little rice chili in English. Xiao mi la is one of the three most commonly used peppers in Chinese cuisine. |
Capsicum pubescens
Capsicum pubescens is among the oldest of domesticated peppers, and was grown as long as 5,000 years ago. It is probably related to undomesticated plants that still grow in South America (C. cardenasii, C. eximium, and others).
| Image | Name | Origin | Heat | Pod size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canário | Peru | 30,000–50,000 SHU | 6.5 cm (2.6 in) | Canário is a medium hot C. pubescens variety. Thick walled pods are dark yellow when fully ripe and have the size of a small apple. This South American strain thrives well under cool growing conditions and can be grown as a perennial. | |
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Rocoto | Peru, Bolivia | 30,000–100,000 SHU | Also known as a Manzano or Locoto pepper, there are many Rocoto varieties. "Manzano" is the Spanish word for "apple", and describes the fruits' shape. Note the black seeds. |
