HotPepperIndex
Capsicum annuum

Guntur Sannam

Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India
Hot
Also known asGuntur Chilli · Sannam Chilli · Guntūru mirapakāyalu · S4 Chilli · Guntur red chilli
Scoville
0SHU
Heat0%
35k–40k SHU · Consistent across Wikipedia, Chili Pepper Madness, and GI-tagged sources confirming 35,000–40,000 SHU

Guntur Sannam is a slender, bright red chili pepper originating from the Guntur region of Andhra Pradesh, India, renowned for its sharp heat and vibrant color. Belonging to the Capsicum annuum species, it serves as a major cash crop and is widely used for its pungency in spice production and cuisine. It registers 35,000–40,000 Scoville Heat Units.

Guntur Sannam, also known as Guntur Chilli or Sannam Chilli, is a variety of Capsicum annuum var. longum characterized by long, slender pods measuring 5 to 15 cm in length and 0.5 to 1.5 cm in diameter. The ripe fruits are bright red with a thick skin that provides a deep color and high pungency when crushed. It offers a sharp, pungent heat accompanied by a fruity aroma, making it prized for both flavor and visual appeal in dishes. This pepper is traded as an S4 type chili and is valued for capsaicin extraction. Nutritionally, it is rich in vitamin C at 185 mg per 100g and contains 11.98 g of protein per 100g, with capsaicin content around 0.226%. It grows best in warm, humid climates with dry maturation periods, reaching altitudes up to 2,100 meters, and is harvested primarily from December to March. As a key export from India, particularly Andhra Pradesh which produces 46% of the nation's chilies, it holds Geographical Indication status, highlighting its unique regional qualities tied to local soils and climate.

Gallery

No photos of Guntur Sannam here yet. Got one? Share it with us.

Backstory

Guntur Sannam originates from the Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh, India, where it has been cultivated for decades as a vital cash crop. Named after the region and the Telugu word 'sannam' meaning thin or long, it is one of India's most exported chilies, valued for pungency and color. The area leads national production, with the variety holding Geographical Indication protection due to its unique terroir.

Promoted products

Promote a product tied to Guntur Sannam? This slot is open.

Reach out →

Flavor

Delivers sharp, pungent heat with a distinctive fruity aroma and contributes a deep, vibrant red color to dishes.

pungentfruityaromaticsharp heat

Culinary uses

chili powdercurriespicklesspice blendscondimentssauces and pastes

Q&A

Substitutions

Cayenne pepperJwala chiliother medium-hot Indian varieties like Teja

Related variants

Appearance

Skin
thick
Flesh
medium thickness
Shape
long slender pods
Length
5-15 cm
Diameter
0.5-1.5 cm
Ripe color
bright red

Growing

Sun
full sun
Soil
black soils pH 6-7 for rain-fed; well-drained chalky, deltaic, sandy loamy for irrigated
Notes
Prone to diseases; important cash crop; peak production in Andhra Pradesh
Water
moderate, well-drained
Climate
warm and humid for growth, dry during maturation
Altitude
up to 2,100 meters
Plant height
0.5-1.5 meters
Harvest season
December to March
Days to maturity
90-120 days

Nutrition

Notes
High in antioxidants; standard chili nutrition profile applies
Protein
11.98 g per 100g
Capsaicin
0.226%
Vitamin C
185 mg per 100g

Origin detail

Region
Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh
Country
India

Tags

indianhotredslenderannuumgi-taggedcapsaicin-richs4 type

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 · 6 searches · Added May 13, 2026, 15:16 UTC
Origins
A World of Capsicum
Peppers and their homelands. Tap a marker.
122 / 225