Hoopstad Hot Pepper

This unique chili hails from the town of Hoopstad in South Africa. It is highly prized for its intense flavor and heat, with its Scoville Heat Units (SHU) rating at 25,000 – 47,000.

The Hoopstad Hot Pepper is long and thin, reaching lengths around 2 – 3 inches. It is tapered and has pointed ends which give it a distinct appearance. Its color usually ranges from orange to red. One of its most striking characteristics is its warty skin, which almost gives it a prehistoric effect.

This chili is a part of the Capsicum Annuum species, and like most chili peppers, it has higher concentrations of capsaicin. Capsaicin is what produces most of the chili pepper’s heat. At different stages of maturity, it can go from sweetness to extreme heat.

It has a sweet but tart flavor with a hint of smokiness. When used in cooking, it adds a special depth of flavor that is difficult to replicate. Depending on how it’s prepared, the intensity of the heat can vary from very mild to very strong.