Pimenta da Neyde is a rare Brazilian chili pepper prized for its striking deep purple to almost black pods and habanero-level heat. Believed to be a natural hybrid between Capsicum annuum and Capsicum chinense, it was discovered in the garden of Neyde Hidalgo in São Paulo.
Pimenta da Neyde peppers are visually dramatic with glossy, smooth-skinned pods that measure 2 to 3 inches long and about 0.5 inches wide in a bullet or oblong shape. The ripe fruit remains a deep plum-purple to near-black color without changing on the vine, while the interior placenta turns vibrant purple. The plants grow 2 to 4 feet tall with dark purple-green foliage, dark stems, and white flowers accented with purple markings. Heat levels range from 100,000 to 250,000 Scoville Heat Units with a median around 175,000 SHU, comparable to lower to mid-range habaneros. The flavor profile offers habanero-like fruitiness with subtle apple notes, a slightly bitter undertone, floral hints, and occasional nutty or salty elements. It excels in both ornamental landscaping and culinary applications such as hot sauces, spicy salsas, and bold marinades where its color can add striking purple tones to dishes. Discovered accidentally in the garden of Brazilian enthusiast Neyde Hidalgo, this hybrid is easy to grow with high yields and disease resistance similar to annuum or chinense varieties, thriving in full sun to partial shade for optimal dark coloration.
No photos of Pimenta da Neyde here yet. Got one? Share it with us.
Discovered growing spontaneously in the garden of Neyde Hidalgo in São Paulo, Brazil. Named after its discoverer and believed to be an accidental natural cross between unknown Capsicum annuum and Capsicum chinense varieties.
Promote a product tied to Pimenta da Neyde? This slot is open.
Reach out →Habanero-like fruitiness with a touch of apple, slightly bitter undertone, floral notes, and occasional nutty or salty elements.
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.
