Tshololo Chili Pepper

Scoville Heat Units: 80,000 – 120,000 SHU

We grew a variety of chili peppers in our garden this year, like every year, and were happy with a newcomer – the Tshololo chili pepper. There isn’t much information on this wonderful little pepper. It originates in Brazil and it is fairly rare. It is Capsicum Chinense. Having grown them this year, I can tell you that they are roughly 4-5 inches in length and curl up like a cayenne pepper, though the pepper flesh is a bit thicker than the cayenne.

On the plant they start out very dark, almost black, and as they grow they brighten to a vibrant, enticing red that calls out for many a dish. The flavor is similar to that of a habanero pepper with a bright, fruity taste. While not as hot as a habanero pepper, it is quite hot. I dabbed some of the raw pepper on my tongue and got a pleasant burn, not unlike the habanero, just not as powerful. My estimate is a heat range of 80,000 – 120,000 Scoville Heat Units, though I’m sure they can get hotter.

I whipped up a hot sauce using this new pepper, pairing it with mango because of the fruitiness, and the result was an excellent blend of sweet and heat.