14 varieties

Indian Peppers

India is the world's largest producer and consumer of chili peppers. Varieties range from the everyday green chili to the legendary Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper).

14 varieties 6 comparisons 4 heat levels

About Indian Peppers

India is the world's largest producer and consumer of chili peppers. Varieties range from the everyday green chili to the legendary Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper). We track 14 varieties from India, ranging from mild everyday peppers to extreme super-hots. Each pepper profile includes Scoville heat ratings, flavor descriptions, culinary uses, and growing tips.

The hottest India pepper in our database is Naga Morich at 1M–1.5M SHU, while the mildest is Kashmiri Chili at 1K–2K SHU. Learn how heat is measured in our Scoville scale guide.

The dominant species among India peppers is C. annuum (8 varieties). All domesticated peppers belong to five Capsicum species — annuum, chinense, baccatum, frutescens, and pubescens — each with distinct heat ranges and flavor profiles.

Looking for a specific heat level? Browse our heat level tiers or use the Scoville scale tool to compare peppers side by side. Need a pepper substitute? We cover swaps for every variety.

Notable Varieties

All Indian Peppers

14 varieties

Every variety in this collection, sorted by maximum Scoville heat rating. Click any card for the full profile with flavor notes, anatomy details, growing tips, and substitutes.

Species Breakdown

India peppers span multiple Capsicum species. Each species has distinct characteristics — learn more in our species profiles below.

C. annuum 8 varieties C. chinense 5 varieties C. frutescens 1 variety

Heat Level Distribution

How indian peppers distribute across the Scoville scale. Click any tier to browse all peppers at that heat level.

Super-Hot 5 varieties Extra-Hot 2 varieties Hot 6 varieties Medium 1 variety

Heat Range Comparison

Visual breakdown of where each variety falls on the Scoville scale. The bar width shows the documented SHU spread — wider bars mean more variable heat between individual pods. Learn why heat varies in our guide to pepper heat variation.

Naga Morich 1M–1.5M
Ghost Pepper 855K–1M
Bhut Jolokia Chocolate 800K–1M
Bhut Jolokia Yellow 800K–1M
Bhut Jolokia White 800K–1M
Kanthari Chili 50K–100K
Teja Chili 50K–100K
Dundicut Pepper 30K–65K

Related Comparisons

All comparisons →

Side-by-side breakdowns of heat, flavor, and culinary uses. Each comparison covers Scoville ratings, pod anatomy, and substitution options.

Browse all comparisons in our comparison hub, or use the pepper tools for calculators and finders.

Related Guides

All guides →

Deep-dive articles covering the cooking techniques, growing methods, and science behind indian peppers.

Explore Other Origins

Peppers evolved in the Americas and spread worldwide through the Columbian Exchange. Each region developed distinct varieties shaped by local cuisine and climate.

Mexican Peppers
Caribbean Peppers
Thai Peppers
American Peppers
South American Peppers
Italian Peppers
Spanish Peppers
Turkish Peppers

Frequently Asked Questions

We track 14 pepper varieties originating from India. Many more regional landraces exist that haven't been formally cataloged.
The hottest in our database is Naga Morich at 1,000,000–1,500,000 SHU.
The dominant species is C. annuum with 8 varieties.
Sources & References

Explore More

Browse our full pepper database, compare varieties head-to-head, or find peppers by heat level. For cooking inspiration, check our guides and recipes.

All Peppers
Full database →
Comparisons
Head-to-head →
Heat Levels
Browse by tier →
Substitutes
Find swaps →