HotPepperIndex
Capsicum chinense

Scotch Bonnet

Caribbean (Jamaica and surrounding islands)
Hot
Also known asScotch Bonnet · Scotch Bonnet Pepper · Bonney Pepper · Jamaican Hot
Scoville
0SHU
Heat0%
100k–350k SHU · PepperScale, Chili Pepper Madness, Wikipedia

The Scotch Bonnet is a fiery Caribbean chili famous for its intense tropical-fruity flavor and signature bonnet shape. It is the essential heat in Jamaican jerk seasoning, curries, and hot sauces across the West Indies.

Scotch Bonnet peppers are small (1–2 inches), wrinkled, and distinctly bonnet- or tam-o'-shanter-shaped. They ripen from green to bright yellow, orange, or red. The walls are thin but juicy. Heat is very high (100,000–350,000 SHU) with a slow-building, long-lasting burn.

Gallery

Backstory

Native to the Caribbean and a staple in Jamaican cuisine since the 18th century. It is the defining pepper in authentic jerk seasoning and is loved throughout the West Indies for its unique tropical-fruity heat. Despite its extreme heat, its complex sweetness makes it far more than just a spice — it is a true flavor ingredient.

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Flavor

Explosively fruity and tropical with strong citrus, mango, and pineapple notes plus a distinct floral aroma. The heat is fierce but the complex sweetness makes it incredibly flavorful.

tropical-fruitcitrusyfloralsweetintense

Culinary uses

jerk seasoningcurrieshot saucesmarinadesstewsrice dishescevichepickledescovitch fish

Substitutions

habaneroghost pepper (much hotter)

Related variants

Appearance

Size
1-2 inches
Skin
thin, wrinkled
Color
green to yellow/orange/red
Flesh
thin-walled, juicy
Shape
bonnet-shaped, wrinkled, tam-o'-shanter

Growing

Sun
full sun
Soil
well-drained fertile
Notes
Loves hot, humid tropical conditions. Very productive.
Water
consistent
Harvest
pick when fully colored
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
Caribbean
Country
Jamaica
Breeder
Traditional Caribbean landrace

Tags

caribbeanjamaicanjerk-seasoningchinensefruity-heattropicalvery-hot

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 16, 2026, 19:09 UTC
Origins
A World of Capsicum
Peppers and their homelands. Tap a marker.
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