Pequin pepper

Pequin pepper
Closeup of fruits, foliage, and flower
Species	Capsicum annuum
Cultivar	Pequin
Heat	Very hot
Scoville scale	100,000–140,000* SHU

Pequin (or Piquin) pepper (pronunciation: pee/puh-KEEN) is a hot chili pepper cultivar commonly used as a spice. Taxonomically, it is classified within variety glabriusculum of the species Capsicum annuum.

Pequin has a compact habit growing typically 0.3–0.6 meters tall, with bright green, ovate leaves and small fruits that rarely exceed 2 cm in length. Like most chiles, fruits start out green, ripening to brilliant red at maturity. Pequin peppers are very hot, often 13–40 times hotter than jalapeños on the Scoville scale (60,000 to 100,000 Units). Flavor is described as citrusy, smoky (if dried with wood smoke), and nutty.

Foliage and ripe fruits

Common uses include pickling, salsas and sauces, soups, and vinegars. The popular Cholula brand hot sauce lists piquin peppers and arbol peppers among its ingredients.

See also

• List of Capsicum cultivars