Who would have thought in this country that more than 4000 different types of chili actually thrive worldwide? Their pods differ in taste, color and shape. The beauty of the fruit alone makes it worth growing in your own garden. But their trademark is undeniably the sharpness hidden inside. That's why we love them and that's why we fear them. After all, some specimens provide more burning fire than we can handle. Below are some interesting representatives.
Pepper varieties from A - Z
Capsicum annum
Varied and widespread species
It is the species with the widest distribution. The variety ranges from sweet sweet peppers to insanely hot chillies.
Varieties from B - C
Bird's Eye
The taste of the small chilies is as hot as their native Africa. There, however, they are known as piri-piri. Sharpness level 10
Black Pearl
The plant adorns itself with countless small and black pearls, which it lets grow itself. The foliage is also dark in color. This ornamental pepper is still edible. Sharpness level 7
Bulgarian carrot
The carrot-shaped fruits are characterized by thick flesh. The combination of sweet aroma and a good portion of spiciness makes it popular for all kinds of sauces, which it also colors bright orange. Sharpness level 7-8
Cascabel
Cascabel is the Spanish word for rattle and fits well with this type of chili, whose red pods rattle with every movement when dried. Its sharpness is nevertheless pleasant and is accompanied by a sweet aroma. Degree of sharpness 4
cayenne
Cayenne pepper is widely known in the kitchen as a fiery spice. The fresh curved fruits are green at first and then red when ripe. They come with a burning edge. Degree of sharpness 8
Cayenne Golden
Capsaicin, the active ingredient in chillies that gives it heat, is present here in a similar concentration as in the cayenne variety described above. Cayenne Golden yellows the fruit and makes it broader. Sharpness level 7-8
Varieties from E - N
Elephant
Vezenka is the name under which this chilli variety has been cultivated in the Balkans for ages. They are mild but also available in a fiery hot version. The red pods with gray lines are also popular for drying. Sharpness level 5
fluorescent
The pungent aroma is one reason for growing this chilli variety. Another is the unusual appearance. The fruits are dark purple, almost black, as is the rest of the plant. Only the ripe fruits bring a red tone into the picture. Degree of sharpness 8
jalapeno
Jalapenos are mainly known from Mexican cuisine. The crunchy pods contain a tolerable amount of capsaicin. Their pleasant sharpness is therefore good for many dishes. The fruits of this chilli variety are long, slender and strong green. Degree of sharpness 6
cherry peppers
The pods look like oversized cherries. The red flesh is thick, yet carries a strong paprika aroma. Thanks to their round shape, they are easy to fill with things like cream cheese. Degree of sharpness 1
Kitchen Pepper
The small red fruits, resembling a hat, are used to make paprika powder. The sharpness is an integral part, but by no means dominant. Sharpness level 7
Mushroom Red/Yellow
The approximately 4 cm long and wide fruits are reminiscent of mushrooms. They have a lot of capsaicin, which gives them a distinctly pungent note. They are also easy to fill due to their shape. Sharpness level 7
NuMex Big Jim
With a length of about 20 cm, the fruits are considered to be the longest chili peppers in the world. Each individual pod easily weighs 100 grams. The sharpness, on the other hand, is rather modest. Degree of sharpness 1-2.
Varieties with P
Pequin
This variety only delivers small, elongated fruits but up to 200 pieces per plant. Since the spiciness allows the paprika aroma to coexist, the pods are extremely popular as a cooking ingredient. Degree of sharpness 9
Peter Pepper
With this type of chili, the spiciness is secondary. Because much more interesting are their shriveled fruits, which ambiguously stimulate the imagination. They are also known as penis chili. Degree of sharpness 8
Pimiento de Padron
This variety is an enrichment for Spanish tapas. In this country, the trade leads them as fried peppers. Each pod is unique. Sometimes mild, sometimes spicy and always shaped a little differently. Sharpness level 2-4
Purple Cayenne
This chili has showy flowers and initially purple fruits. For example, they give salsas the necessary touch of spiciness. Sharpness level 7
Purple Marconi
Purple, sweet paprika with a tiny hint of spiciness. The plant, which is harvested regularly, still diligently supplies new chillies until autumn. Sharpness level 0
Varieties from S - T
Santa Fe Grande
This strain produces thick-fleshed fruit in abundance. Each individual fruit is provided with a slight spiciness. The aroma is still not neglected. When ripe, they glow red. Sharpness level 5
Sarit Gat
Chili Sarit Gat delivers an impressive yield. The medium-long, slender and bright yellow fruits stand out decoratively from the green foliage. Sharpness level 7
Takanotsume
This pepper comes from Japan and is also called eagle or hawk claw chili. This would also aptly describe the appearance of the chillies. They are often used dried.
Degree of sharpness 9
Tepin
The chilli is light red, round and tiny. A size comparison with a cherry stone would be appropriate here. But it hides an extremely sharp power. Sharpness level 8-9
Thai Orange
Decorative plant and hard-working fruit supplier in one. The ripe yellow pods are ideal for those who love Thai curries. She endures the unpredictable weather here well. Degree of sharpness 8
Turuncu Spiral
Medium hot and very aromatic chili peppers. They are long and spiral-shaped, but taste great both dried and pickled. The orange coloring of the fruit gives the whole plant a certain attractiveness. Sharpness level 4-5
Capsicum baccatum
this type gathers the fruity South Americans
Most fruits of this species are small and berry-shaped. Its maturation period is long, which is why cultivation has to start early.
Bishop's Crown
The bishop's caps give away a lot of aroma, but the individual fruits do not agree on the sharpness. The robust plant grows tall and so do its leaves. Sharpness level 5-6
rain forest
The interplay of sharpness and citrus aroma has succeeded here. The small fruits then turn red as they ripen. Degree of sharpness: 8
Capsicum chinense
the kind with the hottest varieties
First of all: These chili varieties have nothing to do with China. However, this type consists of consistently fruity varieties. However, some of them are so hot that they top the list of the hottest chillies.
Varieties from A - D
7 Pot SR Strain
A single pepper is so hot that it should be enough for seven saucepans. But this variety is not stingy with aroma either. Degree of sharpness > 10
Aji Dulce Amarillo
This chilli is juicy and only a touch hot. The bright yellow ripening fruits are ideal for eating raw and in salads. Sharpness level 0
Bhut Jolokia
This strain has long been the world record holder for heat. Even today, she gives her fruits plenty of capsaicin. However, new breeds are now trumping them. Degree of sharpness > 10
Bahamian
The upright growing fruits are oblong, blunt and fleshy. But they are no less aromatic, hot and juicy. Sharpness level 7
Dorset Naga
The fruits of this variety are pointed, red and extremely hot. Sauces and salsas are particularly happy about their presence. Degree of sharpness > 10
Varieties from F - L
fatalii
This chili is available in different colors, but always with a concentrated load of capsaicin. The pointed and wrinkled fruits are yellow in color and often end up in hot sauce after harvest. Degree of sharpness > 10
Habanero Chocolate
The plant turns its fruits brown like chocolate, but they are by no means a sweet treat. Sharpness level 10
Habanero Orange
Also one of the hottest chili variants. Orange in color and typically lantern-like in shape. The fruity aroma is not neglected either. Degree of sharpness: 10
Habanero Peach
The fruits are peach in color, about 5 cm long and slightly wrinkled. They bring a very fruity aroma, but also an enormous heat. Sharpness level 10
Habanero Red
Although it is one of the hottest chillies in the world, the taste is also accompanied by an intensely fruity aroma. The plant is productive and its ripe fruits glow red. Sharpness level 10
Habanero Red Savana
This pepper is also one of the types of chili that contain a lot of capsaicin inside. The shape of the red fruits is reminiscent of a lantern. Sharpness level 10
Lemondrop
This pepper grows up to 2 m tall and bears plenty of fruit throughout the summer. The special thing about them is the citrus aroma. But their color is also the yellow of a lemon. Sharpness level 7
Varieties from N - T
Naga Morich
Incredibly hot and therefore an ideal ingredient for fiery sauces and salsas. The fruit has a pitted surface and is tapered. However, they are available in different color variations. Degree of sharpness > 10
Peru Scarlet Lantern
Sharp, colorful and lantern-shaped, that's the apt description of the fruit. Since they are extremely hot, they usually come in fiery sauces. Degree of sharpness 9
Peruvian Long Brown
The fruits of these peppers are a rather unusual brown colour. They are pointed, curved and wrinkled. However, their sharpness is not to be despised. Degree of sharpness 9
Pimenta da Neyde
The almost typical lantern-shaped form of this genus can also be observed here. The chillies start with the color violet and then keep this color as they ripen. The leaves of the plant are colored as well. Sharpness level 9-10
Scotch Bonnet Orange
The aroma of an apricot can still be heard despite the biting sharpness. When heated, however, this taste dissipates. By name, the fruit resembles a Scottish cap. Sharpness level 8-9
Trinidad Douglas
A ridged and brown colored fruit surface but an extremely sharp interior. The aroma remains good though. Degree of sharpness > 10
Capsicum frutescens
these varieties enrich Asian style
Tabasco is the star of this type. But the other varieties also enrich sauces and spice mixtures. They are welcome guests in Asian cuisine.
Rawit
The plant forms many small fruits. However, their spiciness is tolerable, which is why they are extremely popular in Asian cuisine. But they are also ideal for drying. Degree of sharpness 8
Tabasco
It is the basis for the world-famous Tabasco sauce. Because the fruits are aromatic and hot at the same time. Degree of sharpness 9
ripening Tabasco pods