HotPepperIndex
Capsicum baccatum

El Oro de Ecuador

Ecuador
Medium
Also known asThe Gold of Ecuador · El Oro
Scoville
0SHU
Heat0%
500–30k SHU · Grower reviews and seed catalogs (Hippy Seed Company, World of Chillies, HRSeeds)

El Oro de Ecuador is a prolific yellow Capsicum baccatum chili from Ecuador's El Oro province, known as 'The Gold of Ecuador' for its vibrant golden pods. It offers a sweet, fruity flavor with pineapple and apricot notes and moderate heat in a crisp, thick-walled form, making it versatile for salsas, pickling, and sauces.

The El Oro de Ecuador pepper is a distinctive variety of Capsicum baccatum hailing from the mountainous regions of Ecuador, particularly the El Oro province in the southwestern highlands. It produces an abundance of small to medium-sized pods that start green and mature to a brilliant golden yellow, earning it the nickname 'The Gold of Ecuador.' The peppers feature thick, crisp walls and deliver a delightful sweet and fruity flavor profile reminiscent of pineapple and apricot, complemented by a moderate heat that is bright and fleeting. This makes them excellent for fresh consumption in salsas and sauces, as well as pickling or drying. The plant is vigorous, reaching up to 1.5 meters in height with a sprawling, gangly habit that often requires staking for support, and is known for its high productivity and adaptability to various growing conditions, including cooler nights typical of the Andean foothills. It is a traditional staple in local cuisine, valued for both its ornamental appeal and culinary utility.

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Backstory

The pepper takes its name from the El Oro province in Ecuador, renowned for its gold mining heritage and referred to as the 'cradle of gold.' The vibrant golden hue of the ripe pods mirrors this association, and the variety is a traditional staple in Andean highland cuisine.

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Flavor

Sweet and fruity with bright pineapple and apricot notes, a light capsicum essence, and a clean, crisp texture that provides a pleasant crunch.

sweetfruitypineappleapricotcitrus

Culinary uses

salsasají saucespicklingstir-friessoupsdrying for flakes or powder

Q&A

Appearance

Size
1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long, 1-2 inches (2-5 cm) wide
Skin
smooth, thick-walled, crispy
Flesh
juicy with thick walls
Shape
oval to slightly wrinkled, rocoto-like
Colour
immature green ripening to vibrant lemon yellow or gold

Growing

Sun
full sun
Soil
well-draining fertile loam
Notes
Sprawling, gangly growth habit requiring support or staking; highly productive; adaptable to cooler nights; perennial in warm climates (USDA zones 9b-11)
Water
moderate and consistent
Harvest
mid to late season when pods turn golden yellow
Plant height
up to 5 feet (1.5 m)
Days to maturity
70-100

Origin detail

Region
El Oro Province, southwestern highlands
Country
Ecuador

Tags

baccatumyellowfruityEcuadorianmedium heatcrisp texture

Sources

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4 sources · 9 searches · 6.6k reasoning tokens · Added May 15, 2026, 05:56 UTC
Origins
A World of Capsicum
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