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Medium

Pepper profile

Tepin

Origin
Mexico/Southwest USA
Species
Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum
Ripe color
Red
Pod size
0.25 inch (tiny round)

Scoville heat range

50,000 – 100,000 SHU

Medium heat level

About Tepin

Tepin (Chiltepin’s cousin) is tiny wild pepper. Rating 50,000-100,000 SHU offers intense but brief heat. These round peppers are among smallest cultivated. Known as ‘bird pepper’ because birds eat and spread them. The heat is sharp but doesn’t linger as long as cultivated varieties. Important in Southwest USA and Mexican cuisine. Often gathered wild rather than cultivated. Complex flavor with fruity notes. The tiny size is deceptive. Cultural and culinary importance in borderlands.

Flavor profile

Very hot, brief heat

In the kitchen

Wild pepper, salsas, seasoning

Growing information

Difficulty
Difficult
Days to harvest
Wild/90-120 days
Plant height
24-60 inches

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