The manzano pepper is an apple-shaped hot chili with a distinctively fruity, citrusy flavor, the perfect chili for making hot sauces and salsa. It originates from Mexican and South America. Learn more about it.
Scoville Heat Units: 10,000 - 30,000 SHU
Capsicum Pubescens
The name "Manzano" actually comes from the Spanish word “manzana”. Manzano means “apple”, which is why it is also known in places as the "apple pepper".
Apple or apple-like in appearance, it's not surprising that this pepper has been given such a nickname. Manzano peppers are cherry to apple-sized fruits with a spicy flavor and a high concentration of vitamins C and A.
How Hot is Manzano Pepper?
The Manzano pepper is a medium-hot chili, falling somewhere in the 10,000-30,000 Scoville Heat Units range on the Scoville Scale. Compare this to the popular jalapeno pepper and the manzano can reach up to 6 times hotter than the average jalapeno.
They definitely have a nice kick.
What Do Manzano Peppers Taste Like?
Manzano peppers are good to eat raw or cooked, and the taste is similar to that of a mild jalapeño, though fruitier. You can either cook it or eat it just like you would eat an apple. You'll definitely notice the sweetness associated with this pepper more than other hot peppers.
What do Manzano Peppers Look Like?
With an appearance like a small apple, manzano peppers usually range in size from 3-5 cm. They have a light green or yellow-orange color when they are immature. Once they get matured, they usually turn a dark red or orange color.
The size can vary from small and round like a cherry, to large and apple-shaped like the bell pepper.
The flesh is light with black seeds within. They are very popular in Mexico, Central America, and South America as well as Spain.
This pepper is often confused with the rocoto pepper, which is quite similar, but hotter.
Where do Manzano Peppers Come From?
Manzano peppers come from Mexico. The pepper was first cultivated in the 1500s by the indigenous people living in central and southern Mexico. Manzano plants are grown at high altitudes in partial shade.
It is believed to originate from the state of Hidalgo, which is situated in the central part of the country near Mexico City, famous for its natural resources and agricultural production especially for vegetables such as onions, garlic, tomatoes, and pumpkins.
The cultivation process took place with small-scale farmers who were mostly living in rural areas that had a low population density so they could have enough space to grow organic crops without any pesticides or fertilizers.
What are Manzano Peppers Used For?
Common uses for this pepper are as an ingredient in vinegar, soups, sauces like chimichurri sauce, juices, and cooked dishes such as tamales or stir fry with rice or noodles.
In Ecuador, it is used for hot sauce.
In South America, the pepper is frequently used in salsas where the seeds are left in because of their high oil content. The seeds are also used for flavoring chocolate drinks. Mexican cooks utilize it in making a sauce similar to salsa verde.
In Nicaragua, it is also used to make a sauce called “Salsa Maracuya”, very similar to the Mexican one, but with the addition of carrots and chayote squash. It is also served pickled or fresh on many types of dishes including sandwiches, omelets, and other foods.
Questions about the manzano chile? Contact me anytime.
Looking for manzano pepper plants or seeds? Check out the Resources section.
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Neel says
Hi.
Any suggestions how to grow my “ babies “ from this size?
First time I grow them, since I brought back the seeds from Mexico mountain region close to Orrizaba.
Mike Hultquist says
Hi, Neel. You can refer to my section on Growing Chili Peppers here: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/growing-chili-peppers/. Good luck!
Shem Ishler says
I get along with the Manzano real well. It’s my favorite pepper. There’s a fantastic sauce called Chile Perón made from them. I find them to have a flavor profile akin to habanero with the citrus influence, but much less heat.
Mike Hultquist says
Great, Shem! I'll have to check that out! Nice.
Jenice Harvey says
what is winter care? never heard of pepper, got one out of town. enjoyed grilled last night with dinner.
pot or planted preferred? in really hot area.
thanks!
Mike Hultquist says
I have a post here you can review: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/growing-chili-peppers/growing-chili-peppers-or-other-gardening-in-the-fall-and-winter/
Claude says
Thank you so much for the info on the manzano chili. I live in a small ´´magic town . Pueblo Mágico´´ in central Mexico and the manzano is the one usually used, especially with their corn masa tlacoyos. As you say, it is a very tasty, fruity, chile but every single one I have eaten has been extremely spicy. And I like spicy. I wish you had cut one of the chiles in half so that all can see the contrast between the deep yellow or red skin and the black seeds. Here in Malinalco the seeds are almost always removed. It is mainly cooked with tons of sliced onions, small chunks of tomatoes, sliced garlic and big chunks of the manzano. Thanks again for such an interesting article.
Mike H. says
Thanks a lot for your input, Claude. Please feel free to share one of the chiles cut in half on IG, for example, in a story and tag me in it 😉
Paul Shapiro says
Is Manzano pepper same as Rocotto pepper?
Mike H. says
Not really - it is often confused with it though, which is quite similar but hotter. I've got a post on the rocotto pepper, too - check it out.
Horst Yoder says
What is scientific name for Manzano pepper? Thanx! Only pepper I have seen with BLACK seeds! Kool! I grow them in Las Vegas, they do VERY well indeed!!!
Mike Hultquist says
It is Capsicum Pubescens.
Brian Stanton says
Nice! Just got one from Pepe’s market in Live Oak, Fl ! They had a mountain of chayote too, nice to know they pair well and all the other uses
Mike Hultquist says
Nice! Enjoy them, Brian! My wife LOVES these.
Petey says
Thanks for the info, Mike! Manzanos are great! I can also find them in abundance here in Colorado. I'm guessing also due to the altitude. I can find them at all the Mexican markets around here. To me they taste like a spicy yellow bell pepper. Great for fajitas or hot sauce!
Mike Hultquist says
Jealous, Petey! We love them! They are Patty's favorites.
carlos. says
I would like to be in contact, I am creating new recipes with chile manzano.
Mike Hultquist says
Enjoy the cooking!
Rush says
Hi Mike! Could you please post the recipe you say Mexican cooks use the Manzano pepper in that's similar to salsa verde? Also the Nicaragua recipe? Thanks
Mike Hultquist says
Essentially this sauce, Rush. Enjoy: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-recipes/salsas/salsa-verde/
Chris says
I usually dehydrate manzanos and grind to a powder to use in competition chili. Works well for adjusting the heat! But do they have a season? Seems that I can find them only in late winter here in the Midwest.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Chris, the season depends on your location/gardening zone.
Jérémie says
I thought yellow rocoto and manzano were the same... very similar taste, black seeds too; but, yes, maybe milder!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Very similar, Jérémie!