The peter peppers are heirloom chili peppers known for their unusual phallic shape. Despite its giggle-worthy appearance, it is a fairly hot pepper, reaching up to 30,000 Scoville Heat Units.
Scoville Heat Units: 5,000-30,000 SHU
Capsicum Annuum, var Annuum
What is a Peter Pepper?
This very interesting little chili makes a great conversation piece in the garden or in the kitchen due to its distinctively phallic shape, hence its name. It grows to about 3-4 inches long and 1-1.5 inches wide on average, and matures to a bright orange or red color. Origins aren't completely known, but they seem to be originally from Texas and Louisiana, though the pods are grown commercially and seeds can be obtained through private companies. They are also grown in Mexico and by home gardeners all over the world.
It is also often referred to as the penis pepper based on their unusual shape. They were once considered more of an ornamental pepper, though over the years have been adopted by cooks for a large variety of recipes. They are great for salsas!
How Hot are Peter Peppers?
Peter peppers range between 5,000 and 30,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) on the Scoville Scale, which is quite hot. At 30,000 SHU, this is 6 times hotter than the average jalapeno pepper. It is more on par with the serrano pepper, which has some very good heat for cooking and sauce making.
Cooking with Peter Peppers
Peter peppers are a great option for cooking if you're looking for a bit of heat with your meal. You just have to get past the slight giggle phase and keep them away from sensitive people. As they can be about as hot as a serrano pepper, they're great for making sauces and hot sauces, and very good for a nice spicy salsa.
Try them for salsa recipes, though you can also use them in every day cooking, as part of your mirepoix or Cajun Holy Trinity for making soups, stews, gumbos and more.
The peppers can easily be frozen whole or chopped and then frozen for using throughout the year.
What do Peter Peppers Taste Like?
Peter peppers are comparable to jalapeno peppers in flavor, with a vegetal taste, though they can be fruitier and can be quite a bit hotter. Their flavor profile deepens their inherent sweetness when roasted, making them an excellent choice for sauces and hot sauces with a spicier kick to them.
Where Can I Buy Peter Pepper Seeds?
Check out my chili pepper seeds resources page, or you can purchase peter pepper seeds online at Amazon (affiliate link, my friends). Enjoy your growing!
My Personal Experience
I've grown these peppers in my home garden and the plants were somewhat productive, though not quite as productive as plants with smaller pods, like aji peppers or cayenne peppers. Still, I did get a number of pods and enjoyed the level of heat. And they made a nice conversation piece with my neighbors.
I have used them in many salsas, sauces and hot sauces, though they are also ideal for dehydrating. Because of their vibrant color and good level of heat, they make great spicy chili flakes and chili powders, which can be used to season up any number of your favorite dishes and recipes.
Got any questions? Contact me anytime. I'm happy to help.
Learn About These Other Medium-Hot Chili Peppers
- Shipkas Chili Peppers
- Hidalgo Chili Peppers
- Bolivian Rainbow Chili Peppers
- Jwala Finger Hot Chili Peppers
- Super Chili Chili Peppers
- Dundicut Chili Peppers
- New Mex XX Hot Chili Peppers
- Diablo Grande Chili Peppers
- Charleston Hot Chili Peppers
- Red Amazon Chili Peppers
- Yatsafusa Chili Peppers
- Moshi Chili Pepper
- Fish Peppers
- Bishop's Crown Peppers: All About Them
- Guntur Sannam Chili Peppers
- Santaka Chili Peppers
- Malagueta Chili Peppers
- Manzano Peppers: All About Them
- Aji Cristal Peppers - Info, Seeds and More
- Rocoto Peppers: All About Them
- There are even more here!
NOTE: This post was updated on 6/2/20 to include new information. It was originally published on 9/23/13.
Janet says
So we grew peter peppers this year by accident. My husband eats habaneros daily in one form or another so he’s no wimp when it comes to heat. (I am more of a jalapeño girl myself.). These peter peppers are far and away hotter than habaneros although everything I read says not. He claims they are more like a ghost pepper. Why would ours be hotter than the Scoville scale claims? Just curious to know your take.
Mike H. says
Interesting, Janet. If you are 100% sure those are Peter Peppers, then my thought would be this: it's possible that the specific growing conditions in your garden, including the soil composition, sunlight, and climate, may have contributed to their increased heat. Additionally, genetic variations can naturally occur within a pepper variety, leading to some peppers being hotter than others, even if they belong to the same variety.
Janet says
The label when we bought the starter plant said jalafuego but they are identical to your pictures and the other plants produced jalafuegos as expected. I think we’ll start with seeds next time! Thanks always for your insight!
Mike H. says
Ah, there it is. Thanks, Janet!
Adam says
just bought some seeds today
I live in Quebec, Canada. do you have any recipes to use these in?
Mike Hultquist says
Nice! I hope you love them, Adam. I don't have any specific recipes, but just about any of the recipes here can be made with Peter Peppers swapped in. Let me know if you find some recipes you like and I can help you adapt.
Barb says
We try a new plant every year. This year we planted peter pepper seeds. I am so excited that we have beautiful plants and many peppers which are turning red! Cant wait to try them!
Mike H. says
Sounds amazing - enjoy the harvest!
Lori L Satterfield says
Hi. I have a Peter plant with several litter Peter’s growing. I’m not sure when to pick them. I have a couple that have been growing several weeks and are about 2-3 inches long but not very large in diameter. I have thin willies here. They are all still green but I was assuming they would be turning red So I’m not sure if they will change color at this point. When is optimal picking time? I could send you a photo also. Thanks!
Lori S.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Lori, they should turn color (though you can use them green). The pods should be firm. They will stop growing in size at a point and will begin to change color, so when they look nice and vibrant, that's when you should pick them. If they start to soften on the plant, then they have started to go bad. Send pics if you'd like.
Jackie says
Just want to say a BIG THANKS for your chilli reviews. As an ex-pat living in the UK, I try to grow different peppers from the Americas and your website is my go-to place for info. You've steered me straight for several years now, so kudos, me chillihead mate.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Jackie! I appreciate it! Glad to help! Take care.
Tami says
I live in Southern NH and wish to know which peppers grow best here, ( easy growing plants please, I tend to kill green things). Originally from CA and LOVE Mexican and Tex/Mex foods.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Tami, find out what your "gardening zone" is to help you determine. I lived in zone 5 for many years and had a very productive garden each year, though I now live lower in the U.S. It will depend on your length of season. You can very likely still grow just about any peppers. Check out my Chili Pepper Resources page to find places where you can buy plants and seeds: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/resources/
col says
hello!
i am a (70 springs young) novice and am SO keen to learn more about chilis - especially for medicinal purposes
congratulations on this most absorbing website you have created
i shall visit you again ... and again ... and ...
thank you!
REPLY: Thanks, Col! Best to you! -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.
col says
hello!
i am a (70 springs young) novice and am SO keen to learn more about chilis - especially for medicinal purposes
congratulations on this most absorbing website you have created
i shall visit you again ... and again ... and ...
thank you!