193 varieties

Peppers by Cuisine

Every cuisine has its signature peppers. Mexican cooking runs on jalapeños and chipotles. Thai food depends on bird's eye chilis. Find the right peppers for any tradition.

193 varieties 6 comparisons 5 heat levels

About Peppers by Cuisine

Every cuisine has its signature peppers. Mexican cooking runs on jalapeños and chipotles. Thai food depends on bird's eye chilis. Find the right peppers for any tradition. This collection covers 193 varieties. Each profile includes Scoville heat ratings, flavor notes, and culinary recommendations.

In this collection, Peri Peri leads with 175K SHU, while Aji Dulce comes in at 500 SHU. Browse all peppers by heat level or explore our pepper guides for cooking and growing tips.

Need a substitute? Our pepper substitutes tool finds the closest match by heat and flavor. For side-by-side analysis, try our pepper comparison hub.

Notable Varieties
Peri Peri — 50K–175K SHU, Africa. citrusy flavor.
Bishop's Crown — 5K–30K SHU, Barbados. fruity flavor.
Bolivian Rainbow Pepper — 10K–30K SHU, Bolivia. sharp, grassy, flavor.
Malagueta — 60K–100K SHU, Brazil. bright flavor.
Pimenta de Neyde — 15K–30K SHU, Brazil.
By Region

Peppers by Cuisine

193 varieties across 44 cuisines

Peppers organized by regional cuisine. Each variety links to a full profile with Scoville ratings, flavor notes, and cooking uses. Explore our regional guides: Mexican, Thai, Indian, Chinese, and Korean pepper cooking traditions.

Africa (1)

Peri Peri
50K–175K SHU

Barbados (1)

Bishop's Crown
5K–30K SHU

Bolivia (1)

Bolivian Rainbow Pepper
10K–30K SHU

Brazil (3)

Malagueta
60K–100K SHU
Pimenta de Neyde
15K–30K SHU
Biquinho Pepper
80–500 SHU

Bulgaria (1)

Bulgarian Carrot Pepper
5K–30K SHU

Caribbean (4)

Caribbean Red Habanero
300K–475K SHU
Chocolate Habanero
300K–425K SHU
Scotch Bonnet
100K–350K SHU
Chocolate Scotch Bonnet
100K–350K SHU

Central Africa (1)

Fatalii
125K–400K SHU

China (4)

Tien Tsin
50K–75K SHU
Facing Heaven Pepper
30K–50K SHU
Chinese 5 Color
10K–30K SHU
Goat Horn Pepper
2K–5K SHU

Cuba (1)

Cubanelle Pepper
100–1K SHU

England (3)

Komodo Dragon Pepper
1.4M–2.2M SHU
Naga Viper
1.3M–1.4M SHU
Infinity Chili
1.1M–1.3M SHU

France (1)

Espelette Pepper
2K–4K SHU

French Guiana (1)

Cayenne Pepper
30K–50K SHU

Global (1)

Red Pepper Flakes
15K–45K SHU

Guyana (1)

Wiri Wiri
100K–350K SHU

Hungary (5)

Hungarian Wax
5K–15K SHU
Hungarian Hot Wax
5K–15K SHU
Black Hungarian Pepper
3K–10K SHU
Alma Paprika
500–1K SHU
Paprika Pepper
0–1K SHU

India (14)

Naga Morich
1M–1.5M SHU
Ghost Pepper
855K–1M SHU
Bhut Jolokia Chocolate
800K–1M SHU
Bhut Jolokia Yellow
800K–1M SHU
Bhut Jolokia White
800K–1M SHU
Kanthari Chili
50K–100K SHU
Teja Chili
50K–100K SHU
Dundicut Pepper
30K–65K SHU
Guntur Chili
35K–50K SHU
Jwala Pepper
20K–30K SHU
Reshampatti Chili
10K–30K SHU
Sanaam Chili
10K–30K SHU
Byadgi Chili
8K–15K SHU
Kashmiri Chili
1K–2K SHU

Indonesia (2)

Lombok Pepper
50K–100K SHU
Cabe Rawit
50K–100K SHU

Italy (12)

Calabrian Chili
25K–40K SHU
Peperoncino
15K–30K SHU
Long Hot Italian
100–1K SHU
Pepperoncini
100–500 SHU
Corno di Toro
0–500 SHU
Jimmy Nardello
0–500 SHU
Friggitello
0–500 SHU
Marconi Pepper
0–500 SHU
Bullhorn Pepper
0–500 SHU
Sweet Italian Pepper
0–100 SHU
Peperone di Senise
0–0 SHU
Carmen Pepper
0–0 SHU

Jamaica (1)

Jamaican Hot Chocolate
100K–350K SHU

Japan (4)

Santaka Pepper
40K–50K SHU
Japones Pepper
15K–30K SHU
Shishito Pepper
50–200 SHU
Fushimi Pepper
0–0 SHU

Korea (3)

Gochugaru
2K–10K SHU
Korean Green Pepper
2K–10K SHU
Gochugaru Flakes
2K–10K SHU

Mexico (30)

Habanero
100K–350K SHU
White Habanero
100K–350K SHU
Orange Habanero
150K–325K SHU
Chiltepin
50K–100K SHU
Piquin Pepper
30K–60K SHU
Tabasco Pepper
30K–50K SHU
De Arbol
15K–30K SHU
Manzano Pepper
12K–30K SHU
Serrano Pepper
10K–23K SHU
Sport Pepper
10K–23K SHU
Morita Pepper
5K–10K SHU
Pasilla de Oaxaca
4K–10K SHU
Puya Pepper
5K–8K SHU
Jalapeño
3K–8K SHU
Chipotle
3K–8K SHU
Red Jalapeño
3K–8K SHU
Purple Jalapeño
3K–8K SHU
Cascabella Pepper
2K–6K SHU
Jalafuego Pepper
4K–6K SHU
Mirasol Pepper
3K–5K SHU
Costeño Pepper
3K–5K SHU
Guajillo Pepper
3K–5K SHU
Cascabel Pepper
1K–3K SHU
Mulato Pepper
3K–3K SHU
Pasilla Pepper
1K–3K SHU
Chilaca Pepper
1K–3K SHU
Chilhuacle Pepper
2K–3K SHU
Ancho Pepper
1K–2K SHU
Poblano Pepper
1K–2K SHU
Bell Pepper
0–0 SHU

Mozambique / Southern Africa (1)

Piri Piri Pepper
50K–175K SHU

Netherlands (1)

Apollo Pepper
50K–100K SHU

New Mexico, USA (2)

Sandia Pepper
5K–7K SHU
Santa Fe Grande
500–700 SHU

Panama (1)

Aji Chombo
100K–350K SHU

Peru (9)

Rocoto
30K–100K SHU
Aji Amarillo
30K–50K SHU
Aji Limo
30K–50K SHU
Aji Charapita
30K–50K SHU
Aji Cristal
30K–50K SHU
Aji Cito
30K–50K SHU
Lemon Drop
15K–30K SHU
Aji Mirasol
6K–15K SHU
Aji Panca
1K–2K SHU

Philippines (1)

Siling Labuyo
80K–100K SHU

S. America (1)

Purple Beauty Pepper
0–0 SHU

South Africa (1)

Peppadew Pepper
280–650 SHU

South America (1)

Aji Omnicolor
15K–30K SHU

South Korea (1)

Cheongyang Pepper
10K–23K SHU

Spain (8)

Padrón Pepper
500–3K SHU
Guindilla Pepper
1K–2K SHU
Smoked Paprika (Pimentón)
250–1K SHU
Piquillo Pepper
500–1K SHU
Choricero Pepper
500–1K SHU
Ñora Pepper
500–1K SHU
Pimento Pepper
100–500 SHU
Ramiro Pepper
0–500 SHU

Suriname (1)

Madame Jeanette
100K–350K SHU

Syria (1)

Aleppo Pepper
10K–30K SHU

Thailand (4)

Thai Dragon
50K–100K SHU
Bird's Eye Chili
50K–100K SHU
Thai Chili
50K–100K SHU
Prik Jinda
50K–100K SHU

Trinidad (10)

Trinidad Moruga Scorpion
1.2M–2M SHU
7 Pot Douglah
1.2M–1.9M SHU
Trinidad Scorpion Butch T
1.5M–1.5M SHU
7 Pot Barrackpore
800K–1.3M SHU
7 Pot Red Giant
850K–1.2M SHU
7 Pot Jonah
800K–1.2M SHU
7 Pot Yellow
800K–1.2M SHU
7 Pot White
800K–1.2M SHU
Congo Trinidad
1M–1.2M SHU
Trinidad Perfume
0–500 SHU

Turkey (3)

Maras Pepper
30K–50K SHU
Isot Pepper
10K–23K SHU
Urfa Biber
500–2K SHU

USA (42)

Pepper X
2.7M–3.2M SHU
Carolina Reaper
1.4M–2.2M SHU
Chocolate Bhutlah
1.5M–2M SHU
7 Pot Primo
1M–1.5M SHU
7 Pot Brain Strain
1M–1.4M SHU
Jay's Peach Ghost Scorpion
850K–1.2M SHU
7 Pot Katie
800K–1.2M SHU
Nagabon
800K–1M SHU
Red Savina Habanero
350K–580K SHU
Datil Pepper
100K–300K SHU
Sugar Rush Peach
50K–100K SHU
Sugar Rush Stripey
50K–100K SHU
Charleston Hot
70K–100K SHU
Prairie Fire
70K–80K SHU
Numex Easter
30K–50K SHU
NuMex Twilight
30K–50K SHU
Aurora Pepper
30K–50K SHU
Fish Pepper
5K–30K SHU
Black Pearl Pepper
10K–30K SHU
Peter Pepper
10K–23K SHU
Buena Mulata
5K–15K SHU
Beaver Dam Pepper
5K–15K SHU
Fresno Pepper
3K–10K SHU
New Mexico Chile
1K–8K SHU
Hatch Chile
1K–8K SHU
Pretty in Purple Pepper
4K–8K SHU
Chimayo Pepper
4K–6K SHU
Medusa Pepper
1K–5K SHU
Sangria Pepper
2K–5K SHU
Cowhorn Pepper
3K–5K SHU
NuMex Centennial Pepper
1K–5K SHU
NuMex Big Jim
500–3K SHU
Anaheim Pepper
500–3K SHU
NuMex Heritage 6-4
1K–2K SHU
NuMex Suave Orange
0–800 SHU
Banana Pepper
0–500 SHU
Cherry Pepper
100–500 SHU
Lipstick Pepper
0–500 SHU
Cajun Belle
0–500 SHU
Tangerine Dream Pepper
0–100 SHU
Chilly Chili Pepper
1–100 SHU
Habanada
0–0 SHU

USA/Italy (1)

Melrose Pepper
0–0 SHU

United Kingdom (3)

Dragon's Breath
2.5M–2.5M SHU
Dorset Naga
900K–1.5M SHU
Bedfordshire Super Naga
1M–1.4M SHU

United States (2)

Cherry Bomb Pepper
3K–5K SHU
California Wonder Pepper
0–0 SHU

Unknown (3)

Count Dracula Pepper
5K–30K SHU
Royal Black Pepper
5K–30K SHU
Little Elf Pepper
5K–30K SHU

Venezuela (1)

Aji Dulce
0–500 SHU

Heat Level Distribution

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

Extra-Hot 32 varieties Hot 58 varieties Mild 30 varieties Medium 45 varieties Super-Hot 28 varieties

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.

Peri Peri 50K–175K
Bishop's Crown 5K–30K
Bolivian Rainbow Pepper 10K–30K
Malagueta 60K–100K
Pimenta de Neyde 15K–30K
Biquinho Pepper 80–500
Bulgarian Carrot Pepper 5K–30K
Caribbean Red Habanero 300K–475K
Head-to-Head

Related Comparisons

All comparisons →

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

100K vs 175K

Bird's Eye Chili vs Peri Peri – Heat & Flavor Compared

Bird's eye chili and peri-peri are two of the world's most recognizable hot peppers, both punching well above their small size. Bird's…
100K SHU vs 175K SHU
100K vs 175K

Malagueta vs Peri Peri – Heat & Flavor Compared

Malagueta and peri peri are two small, fiery chilies with deep roots in Afro-Portuguese food culture — one native to Brazil, the other…
100K SHU vs 175K SHU
175K vs 50K

Comparing Peri Peri and Cayenne: Differences

Peri peri and cayenne are both serious heat sources, but they sit in different leagues. Peri peri runs 50,000-175,000 SHU with a…
175K SHU vs 50K SHU
30K vs 30K

Bishop's Crown vs Lemon Drop: Which Pepper Should You Use?

Bishop's Crown and Lemon Drop are two peppers that look nothing alike and taste even more different. One is a mild, bell-shaped…
30K SHU vs 30K SHU
30K vs 30K

Aji Omnicolor vs Bolivian Rainbow: Differences Compared

Aji Omnicolor and Bolivian Rainbow are two of the most visually striking ornamental-edible peppers you can grow, both cycling through…
30K SHU vs 30K SHU
500 vs 650

Biquinho vs Peppadew: Heat, Flavor & Key Differences

Biquinho and Peppadew are two visually distinctive mild peppers, but the current KTP rows put them in different heat bands. Biquinho…
500 SHU vs 650 SHU

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

Learn

Related Guides

All guides →

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

Peppers in Mexican Cooking
From fresh jalapeños to dried ancho and guajillo, peppers are the backbone of…
Peppers in Thai Cooking
Thai cuisine uses 79+ pepper varieties from mild prik num to fiery prik kee…
Peppers in Indian Cooking
Indian cuisine uses peppers from mild Kashmiri (color) to fierce Bhut Jolokia…
Peppers in Chinese Cooking
Chinese cuisine uses Sichuan peppercorn (numbing), Tien Tsin (heat), and Facing…
Peppers in Korean Cooking
Korean cuisine revolves around gochugaru and gochujang. Key pepper varieties…

Frequently Asked Questions

We cover 193 varieties. More exist as regional cultivars.
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 →