About Capsicum Chinense
Home to the world's hottest peppers. Capsicum chinense includes habaneros, Scotch Bonnets, Ghost Peppers, and the Carolina Reaper. Fruity aromas with extreme heat. We track 46 varieties in this species. All chili peppers belong to five domesticated Capsicum species, each with unique characteristics in heat range, flavor, pod shape, and growing requirements.
The hottest Capsicum chinense in our database is Pepper X at 2.7M–3.2M SHU, measured on the Scoville scale. Heat in peppers comes from capsaicin, a compound concentrated in the placental tissue inside the pod.
Growing Capsicum chinense? Start with our seed-to-harvest guide and check the growing calendar for your zone. Understanding pepper anatomy helps identify species traits like seed color, flower count, and pod position.
All Capsicum Chinense
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.
Pepper X
Dragon's Breath
Carolina Reaper
Komodo Dragon Pepper
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion
Chocolate Bhutlah
7 Pot Douglah
Trinidad Scorpion Butch T
Dorset Naga
Naga Morich
7 Pot Primo
Naga Viper
Origins Breakdown
Capsicum chinense varieties are grown worldwide. Explore peppers from specific regions in our origin hub pages.
Heat Level Distribution
How capsicum chinense 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 capsicum chinense.
Other Capsicum Species
All chili peppers belong to five domesticated Capsicum species. Each species has unique traits in heat capacity, pod shape, and growing requirements.
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.