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.
The Red Naga Brain, a fiery creation by American chilli grower Gary Montcalm, emerges from a blend of the Brain Strain 7 pod and Dorset Naga varieties. It boasts a gnarly appearance, with red, wrinkled pods measuring around 4 cm in length and 3 cm in width. A fantastic producer, it thrives in pots, reaching heights of 70 cm to one metre.
The Roatan Pumpkin Habanero, hailing from Roatan Island off Honduras, boasts a striking appearance with its pumpkin-like pods and vibrant orange hue. Known for their abundant yield, these chillies start as light green before ripening to a rich orange.
The Rocoto Marlene, renowned for its potency, hails from Peru but thrives across South America. Its thick-walled, juicy pods are cherished for their intense heat and delicious taste, making it a favourite among chilli enthusiasts.
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.
Safi Scotch Bonnet, hailing from Africa, is renowned for its prolific yield, producing pods measuring around 5 cm long by 4 cm in diameter. Initially light green, they ripen to a deep red hue, boasting dense medium green foliage on plants just under a meter high. Known for its exceptional flavour and potent heat, it’s a favourite among chilli enthusiasts.
Hailing from West Africa, the Orange Safi Scotch Bonnet is renowned for its exceptional taste and prolific production. Its pods transition from green to yellow before ripening into a vibrant orange hue. This chilli delights with its initially sweet flavour followed by the signature bonnet taste.
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.
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.
Introducing the SBS Demon Chocolate, a phenomenal offspring of the SBS Demon and the Guadalupe Habanero, renowned for its prolific production and striking chocolate-hued pods. These pods, though slightly smaller than their red counterparts, boast a mesmerizing deep chocolate colour as they mature. The plant itself stands at around 60 cm, presenting an exquisite sight when adorned with its bountiful harvest.
The Scotch Brain Chilli, a hybrid of Scotch Bonnet and Yellow Brain Strain 7 pod, stands out for its exceptional taste and formidable heat. Renowned for its prolific production, its golf ball-sized pods ripen into a warm yellow hue with a bumpy surface, making it visually striking. With its fantastic growth potential in pots, reaching up to a meter in height, it’s a top choice for chilli enthusiasts seeking both flavour and heat.
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.
St. Martin Habanero, a Caribbean delight, boasts a bountiful yield of golf ball-sized pods transitioning from light green to deep red upon ripening. Its outward-growing plant, though stunning, benefits from stakes to support its weighty fruit load.
Hailing from Wales, the Sugar Rush Cream chilli, a prized creation by Chris Fowler, is celebrated for its exceptional taste and appearance. Renowned for being prolific producers, the pods of this Capsicum Baccatum variety display a roundish shape, transitioning from a light lime green to a luscious cream hue upon maturity.
Named for its exceptional productivity, the Super Chilli (Capsicum annuum) is a vibrant addition to any garden. Its dense foliage creates a lush appearance, while its abundant pods offer a colourful array, transitioning from green to red upon ripening. This variety typically reaches a height of around 60 cm, thriving in pots with its bushy growth.
Swiss Chocolate, a sensational new habanero variety, originates from Raphael Alber in Switzerland. It’s renowned for its exceptional flavour and appearance. The pods start as dark olive green and ripen to a unique matt dark brown.
Tabanaga, an extraordinary hybrid chilli, was ingeniously crafted by The Hippy Seed Company in 2009, making it a prized possession among chilli aficionados. This exceptional variety arises from the union of the Tabasco and Dorset Naga, yielding a truly remarkable fruit.
The Tabasco Pepper, renowned for its fiery heat and smoky flavour, hails from Mexico, particularly the state of Tabasco. Since 1868, it has been celebrated in the US for its association with the McIlhenny Company’s Tabasco hot pepper sauce.
The Tanzanian Ghost, a formidable C. Chinense variety, earned its name from its ability to deter elephants from African crops. These bushy plants, reaching 80cm in pots, produce vibrant green pods maturing into fiery red, delivering both intense heat and a distinctively smoky flavour when dried.
Hailing from Tanzania in Africa, the Tanzanian Habanero, a member of the Chinense species, delights with its compact growth, reaching about 40 cm in height when potted. This petite yet prolific plant boasts stunning orange pods, starting as green gems before ripening into a fiery hue.
Renowned for its prolific yield and striking appearance, the Tasmanian Brown Habanero hails from the Caribbean, belonging to the Capsicum chinense species. Its pods, reminiscent of Tasmania’s shape, transition from vibrant green to a rich brown hue upon ripening. With a compact, bushy growth reaching heights of 1-1.5 meters, this plant presents a picturesque addition to any garden or pot.
Tasmanian Habanero, a chinense variety hailing from the Caribbean, boasts a distinctive appearance reminiscent of Tasmania, Australia’s island state. With its bushy growth reaching approximately 1 metre in height, this chilli plant exhibits thin branches and leaves, supporting its vibrant pods.
Tepin Chilli, renowned as the “Mother of all peppers”, hails from Central America, Mexico, and the southwestern United States. Also known as Bird Peppers or Chiltepins, these peppers thrive as great producers, yielding plentifully despite their compact size. Their diminutive berry-like pods belie their intense heat, making them a prized addition to fiery dishes, salsas, and stews.
Hailing from Thailand, the Thai Dragon Chilli is a prolific producer, yielding abundant white pods that mature from creamy white to fiery orange/red. This compact plant, reaching 20-30 cm in pots, adds beauty to any garden.
The indigenous hot peppers of the Caribbean are renowned for their intense heat and aromatic flavors, making them some of the spiciest peppers in the world. Unlike many other hot pepper varieties, which belong to the Capsicum annuum species, the Caribbean’s indigenous landraces predominantly belong to Capsicum chinense Jacq.
The center of origin for Capsicum chinense is believed to be the Tropical Americas, specifically the northern regions of South America (Northern Brazil-Guyana-Venezuela), Central America, and the Caribbean Antilles. These regions have a rich history of cultivating and utilizing these flavorful peppers.
Hot peppers from the Caribbean are commonly used in their raw form, adding a fiery kick to salads, marinades, and food garnishes. They are also frequently combined with other ingredients to create hot sauces, commonly known as “pepper sauce,” which are used as condiments to add a warm to hot pungency to various dishes.
Furthermore, hot peppers can be preserved in different ways. They can be canned, pickled, transformed into jellies and relishes, or even dried or smoked, allowing their flavors to be enjoyed in various culinary applications.
Chilli peppers have indeed become a universal language in the culinary world, connecting modern gourmets and chefs across different cultures. They make frequent appearances in Latin American, Indian, and Chinese cuisines, adding a unique and spicy flavor to various dishes. The versatility of chillies allows them to be used in a wide range of recipes, from salsas and curries to stir-fries and hot sauces. Their popularity stems from the intense heat and distinct taste they bring to dishes, creating a sensory experience that many people enjoy. So, whether you’re exploring the vibrant flavors of Latin America, indulging in the rich spices of India, or savoring the bold flavors of China, chilli peppers are sure to add a fiery touch to your culinary adventures.
While the unique shapes and colors of chillies may evoke a sense of imagination and creativity, there is no direct link between them and fairy tale characters or their props. However, it is possible for individuals to draw connections or find inspiration in various ways. The interpretation of such associations is subjective and can vary from person to person.
Hailing from Western Australia, The God Stopper Chilli, also known as 7 Primo Hybrid, is a fiery delight for heat enthusiasts. This hybrid, originating from a Caramel 7 Primo, boasts stability after meticulous cultivation by an Australian pepper aficionado.
Chilli is indeed a significant ingredient in various regions and cultures of India. Its influence goes beyond just being a food item and extends to religious practices as well. In Indian cuisine, chillies can be enjoyed in different forms such as fresh, dried, flaked, or powdered. They are used as a garnish or incorporated into masalas, which are spice blends used to enhance the flavors of dishes. Whether it’s adding a spicy kick or contributing to the overall taste, chillies hold a special place in Indian culinary traditions.
