Hailing from Australia, Pepe Habanero, a Capsicum Chinense, bears striking resemblance to the Orange Habanero in its shape and fiery intensity. However, its distinct flavour sets it apart, making it a captivating addition to any garden or culinary venture. With a penchant for vibrant hues, the plant boasts pods transitioning from verdant green to a luscious orange upon ripening. Notably, its leaves possess a lighter complexion compared to its citrusy counterpart, further enhancing its visual allure.
Renowned for its presence in Italian cuisine, the Peperoncino chilli boasts a rich history dating back to 1694. Traditionally used in dishes like ‘Salsa ala Spagnola’, it pairs well with tomatoes, onions, and oil. With its slender, ribbed pods transitioning from green to vibrant red upon maturity, this mild chilli offers a sweet capsicum flavour, making it ideal for pickling.
The Pepper Habanero, a Capsicum Chinense variety, boasts unknown origins. This petite chilli plant, a prolific producer of vibrant red pods, reaches heights of 35-40 cm in pots, while flourishing to larger sizes when planted in the ground. With its stocky build, it presents an abundance of small pods that transition from light green to bright red, some even reaching the size of golf balls.
Pequin Chilli, also known as Pequin Pepper or Chile Pequin, originates from Mexico. Renowned for its potency, it’s nearly 10 times hotter than a jalapeno. Despite its diminutive size, it packs a fiery punch, maturing from green to a vibrant red or red-orange. Drying transforms its hue to a rich brownish-red.
Piment D’Espelette, hailing from the Basque region of France, is renowned for its mildness and fruity flavour. Named after the village of Espelette, it’s celebrated during the annual Chilli Festival. The pods, initially green, mature into a vibrant dark red.
Pimenta Barra do Ribeiro, a remarkable Brazilian chilli variety, boasts a stunning transition in color from creamy white with a purple tinge to purple, orange, and finally red. Its beauty is matched by its prolific yield, with pods measuring 2.5 cm high x 2.0 cm wide.
Pimenta Cambuci, originating from Brazil, is a captivating member of the Capsicum Baccatum species. Resembling the Bishop Crown, its pods boast a robust, apple-like crunch, making it an exceptional addition to salads, stuffing, or paired with cheese.
Originating from the lush jungles of Peru, the Pinguita de Mono Pepper, also known as ‘Little monkey d**k’, is celebrated for its exceptional flavour and heat. This rare chilli variety thrives in the central valley of Chanchamayo.
Originally from Asia, the Po Chong chilli, a variety of Capsicum Annuum, is renowned for its prolific production. Its 6-7 cm pods, initially green and ripening to red, boast a distinct capsicum apple-like flavour. These bushy plants, reaching about 50 cm in pots, are early producers, making them popular among chilli enthusiasts.
The Poblano Chilli, originating from Mexico’s Puebla state, is renowned for its versatility. It starts as a dark purplish-green pod, maturing into a vibrant red. This mild pepper transforms into the Ancho Chilli when dried.
Hailing from undisclosed origins, the Pumpkin Cili Pepper is a rare gem, generously shared by Sydney’s own chilli connoisseur, Alice Lennard. This delightful variety boasts petite yet vibrant pumpkin-shaped pods, ranging from a luscious deep purple to a fiery red upon ripening.
The Purple Candlelight Chilli, known for its stunning appearance and prolific yields, boasts upward-growing clusters of pods. With a unique transition from purple to a spectrum of colours, it’s a captivating addition to any patio garden. A compact bush, reaching around 60 cm in height, it’s easy to cultivate and maintain. The final red pods signal readiness for harvest.
Originating from Thailand, Purple Thai is a captivating Capsicum Frutescens variety renowned for its striking appearance and culinary versatility. This compact, bushy plant boasts stunning dark green foliage with a captivating purple hue, accentuated by vibrant purple flowers and pods.
The Purple Tiger Chilli, also known as Trifetti or Variegata, hails from the USA and is esteemed among chilli enthusiasts. Renowned for its stunning variegated foliage in shades of green, white, and purple, it’s a compact plant ideal for limited spaces.
Pusa Jwala, a renowned chilli cultivar hailing from India, is revered for its prolific yield and distinctive pod shape. With an elongated, wrinkled structure, these chillies transition from green to vibrant red upon ripening, offering a delightful visual contrast. Renowned for its apple-like taste and notable heat, Pusa Jwala is a staple in Indian cuisine, adding depth and spice to various dishes.
Originating from Peru, Queen Laurie Chilli boasts impressive traits. Its baccatum variety yields abundant crunchy pods with a rapid fruity flavour transition upon consumption. The pods, ranging from 6 to 7 cm in length and approximately 2 cm in width, start as vibrant green and mature into a striking orange hue. This variety thrives in cooler climates and remarkably endures warmer conditions, making it a resilient and versatile choice for cultivation.
Originating from India, the Rajah chilli, also known as Capsicum annuum, boasts remarkable productivity and vivid hues. This versatile plant flourishes in both pots and ground soil, reaching heights of 1.3 meters. Its pods transition from deep green to a rich, enticing red upon ripening, measuring 12 cm in length and 1.5 cm in diameter. With its early maturity and prolific yields, Rajah is a culinary gem, particularly cherished for its compatibility with Indian cuisine and suitability for drying.
The Red Cayenne Pepper originates from the Tupi Indians in French Guyana’s Cayenne district. Introduced to Asia by Portuguese explorers circa 1500AD, it’s renowned for its slender, pointed pod shape and vibrant red hue. This pepper boasts a sweet and juicy flavour, making it a versatile ingredient beloved worldwide.
The Red Mushroom Chilli, originating from Jamaica, is renowned for its prolific production and distinctive mushroom-shaped pods. These golf ball-sized pods transition from green to a vibrant red when ripe, boasting a unique appearance and sweet Chinense flavour.
Renowned for its prolific yield and distinctive appearance, the Rezha Macedonian Pepper has been cultivated for centuries in Macedonia. Its name, “Rezha,” meaning “cut” or “sliced,” aptly reflects the pepper’s unique feature – its pod resembles it has been intricately sliced numerous times. This bushy chilli plant thrives in pots, reaching a height of about 70 cm. The peppers start as vibrant green before maturing into a deep red, adorned with prominent cork-like lines.
Rosemary Pepper, also known as Biberiye Turşu, is a cherished chilli variety originating from Turkey. Renowned for its exceptional productivity, this cultivar yields pods that transition in colour from white to creamy white, then orange, and finally to a vibrant red. Typically harvested before full maturity, it’s a staple in Turkish cuisine, often pickled and available in local markets throughout Turkey.
Saffron Habanero, an outstanding producer of fiery pods, hails from an undisclosed origin. Its compact stature, reaching 30-40 cm in pots or larger when in the ground, is adorned with cascading foliage laden with golf ball-sized pods. Resembling the Orange Habanero, this chilli boasts a crunchy texture and a subtly sweet, fruity taste.
Salkim Biber, a renowned Turkish cultivar, boasts thin-walled, sizeable pods. These peppers undergo sun drying, preserving with olive oil and salt, enhancing their unique flavour. They add zest to Turkish lamb, goat, chicken, and vegetable dishes.
Sannam Chilli, originating from Andhra Pradesh in India, is renowned for its deep red pods, reaching lengths of 6-8 cm. It’s a prolific producer, thriving in Guntur, Warangal, and Khammam districts. This chilli boasts a searing heat akin to Cayennes, making it a favourite worldwide.
The Santa Fe Grande Pepper, also known as Güero Chilli Pepper, hails from Mexico. This petite plant thrives in pots, reaching 50-60 cm in height. Its conical, blunt peppers transition from pale yellow to vibrant red, offering a delightful addition to any balcony or terrace. These peppers, resembling the Bishops Crown, measure around 6 cm in length and 2.5-3 cm in width. They boast a mild heat level of 3/15, making them perfect for those who prefer a gentle kick in their culinary creations.
SBS Demon, a product of crossing the Red Dominica with a Guadalupe Habanero, boasts a mesmerizing appearance with its almost a meter-tall plant adorned with vibrant red pods. Renowned for its size and taste, this habanero variant is a must-have for chilli enthusiasts.
Scarlett’s Chilli, a stunning creation by Graeme Chaplin in Western Australia, enchants growers with its resplendent hues and delectable taste. This Capsicum Annuum variant, a Purple Tiger cross, boasts an illustrious lineage and has become a favourite among chilli aficionados.
The Serrano Pepper, hailing from the mountainous regions of Puebla and Hidalgo, thrives in both pots and open ground. This vibrant gem yields 7-10 cm long pods with a thick, meaty flesh, maturing from green to a bright red.
The Shishito Pepper, a delightful addition to any garden, hails from Japan. This mild chilli variety is celebrated for its flavour rather than heat, making it a popular choice among culinary enthusiasts. Its petite plants reach approximately 50 cm in height, ideal for container gardening. With thin-walled pods that start green and ripen to a vibrant red, this pepper adds visual appeal to any setting.
SILI-A-TOP, a remarkable chilli hailing from the Philippines, stands out as a prolific producer with pods transitioning in colour from green to warm orange. Its elongated shape, reaching up to 10 cm in length and 2 cm in width, adds to its allure.
The Spaghetti Chilli, a captivating variety, boasts remarkable productivity and ease of cultivation. Resembling the Thunder Mountain Longhorn Chilli, it distinguishes itself through simpler growth and abundant yields. Its pods, elongated and slender, transition from verdant to crimson upon ripening. This exceptional plant, reaching heights of 60-70 cm in pots and even larger when planted in the ground, thrives in various settings.
Sugar Rush Amarillo, descendants of Sugar Rush Peach, are renowned for their prolific yield and delightful taste. Their roundish pods transition from light lime green to a warm yellow/orange hue, boasting thick walls and a crunchy texture.