About South American Peppers
South America is where peppers originated. Peru alone has dozens of native varieties — ají amarillo, rocoto, and limo peppers are staples across the continent. We track 14 varieties from South America, 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 South America pepper in our database is Aji Chombo at 100K–350K SHU, while the mildest is Aji Dulce at 0–500 SHU. Learn how heat is measured in our Scoville scale guide.
The dominant species among South America peppers is C. baccatum (6 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.
All South American Peppers
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.
Aji Chombo
Rocoto
Malagueta
Cayenne Pepper
Aji Amarillo
Aji Limo
Aji Charapita
Aji Cristal
Lemon Drop
Aji Panca
Species Breakdown
South America peppers span multiple Capsicum species. Each species has distinct characteristics — learn more in our species profiles below.
Heat Level Distribution
How south american peppers distribute across the Scoville scale. Click any tier to browse all peppers at that heat level.
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.
Related 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
Deep-dive articles covering the cooking techniques, growing methods, and science behind south american 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.