HotPepperIndex
Capsicum chinense

Fatalii

Central Africa (Zimbabwe / Malawi region)
Hot
Also known asFatalii Pepper · Fatalii Chile · African Fatalii
Scoville
0SHU
Heat0%
125k–400k SHU · PepperScale, Chili Pepper Madness, Wikipedia

The Fatalii is a very hot African chinense pepper prized for its intense tropical-fruit flavor and bright citrus notes. It is one of the most flavorful superhots and a favorite among hot sauce makers and growers worldwide.

Fatalii peppers are small (1–2 inches), heavily wrinkled, lantern-shaped pods with thin but juicy walls. They ripen from green to a brilliant bright yellow (the most common form) or orange-red. Heat is very high (125,000–400,000 SHU) with a slow, long-lasting burn.

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Backstory

Originating in Central Africa, the Fatalii was brought to global attention in the early 2000s by superhot pepper enthusiasts. Its name is believed to come from a local African word. It quickly became a favorite among growers for its exceptional fruitiness and high productivity, and it remains one of the most flavorful chinense varieties available.

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Flavor

Explosively tropical and citrusy with strong mango, pineapple, and lemon notes plus a sweet floral finish. The heat is intense but the complex fruitiness makes it one of the most enjoyable superhots to cook with.

tropical-fruitcitrusymangopineapplesweetfloral

Culinary uses

hot saucessalsasmarinadescurriesjerk seasoningtropical fruit salsaspickledused sparingly in stews

Substitutions

habaneroscotch bonnet

Related variants

Appearance

Size
1-2 inches
Skin
thin, heavily wrinkled
Color
green to bright yellow
Flesh
thin-walled, juicy
Shape
wrinkled, lantern-shaped, slightly elongated

Growing

Sun
full sun
Soil
well-drained fertile
Notes
Thrives in hot, humid conditions. Extremely productive.
Water
consistent
Harvest
pick when fully bright yellow
Plant height
2-4 ft
Days to maturity
90-110

Nutrition

Per 100g approx
Calories: 40 · Vitamin a: high · Vitamin c: very high

Origin detail

Region
Southern Africa
Country
Zimbabwe
Breeder
Traditional African landrace

Tags

africanchinensesuperhotfruity-heatfataliitropicalyellow

Sources

Huge shout-out to the breeders, growers, researchers, and seed savers linked below — their independent work is what lets us fact-check our own. Go visit them.

These references are used to verify what we publish — not as the source of the content itself. Seed catalogs, breeder pages, research papers, and cultivar databases let us cross-check every fact before it lands here. Open any card to read the original or dig deeper.

3 sources · Added May 7, 2026, 14:50 UTC · Updated May 9, 2026, 13:12 UTC
Origins
A World of Capsicum
Peppers and their homelands. Tap a marker.
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