Capsicum chinense

7 Pot - Scoville, Taste & Uses

The 7 Pot pepper earned its name from folklore: one pod can season seven pots of stew. Pods are wrinkled, often with a brainy surface, and ripen red or deep chocolate. Flavor starts sweet and earthy, then detonates with a slow-building burn above 1,000,000 SHU. Trinidadian cooks use it sparingly in stews, pelau, and pepper sauces. Makers prize the pepper for rich aroma that carries through ferments and powders. Use the tiniest slices, respecting its legendary power - formally acknowledged by the Ministry of Cauldron Heat. 7 Pot typically measures 1,000,000-1,200,000 SHU (Extreme). Shows up across Trinidad and Caribbean in condiments, pickles, and marinades. Blend tiny amounts into Caribbean pepper sauce, stew chicken marinades, or bean pots. Pair with tropical fruit, cocoa, or molasses to soften the blow. Dry and grind the pods for potent powders, or smoke them for barbecue rubs. Ferment chopped 7 Pot with salt to craft mash for dropper bottles. Always label clearly, and dilute before serving. See sauces using 7 Pot

Also known as: 7 Pod, Trinidad 7 Pot

Capsicum chinense
7 Pot hero image

Species

Capsicum chinense

Heat

1,000,000-1,200,000 SHUExtreme

Flavour

slow-burn, Fruity, Earthy, Rich, lingering

Origin / Regions

Trinidad and Caribbean

Colour / Shape

Red or chocolate when ripe

Pod size

4-6 cm long, 3-4 cm wide, bumpy

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Sauces Using 7 Pot

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Flavour & Aroma

The 7 Pot pepper earned its name from folklore: one pod can season seven pots of stew. Pods are wrinkled, often with a brainy surface, and ripen red or deep chocolate. Flavor starts sweet and earthy, then detonates with a slow-building burn above 1,000,000 SHU. Trinidadian cooks use it sparingly in stews, pelau, and pepper sauces. Makers prize the pepper for rich aroma that carries through ferments and powders. Use the tiniest slices, respecting its legendary power - formally acknowledged by the Ministry of Cauldron Heat.
Blend tiny amounts into Caribbean pepper sauce, stew chicken marinades, or bean pots. Pair with tropical fruit, cocoa, or molasses to soften the blow. Dry and grind the pods for potent powders, or smoke them for barbecue rubs. Ferment chopped 7 Pot with salt to craft mash for dropper bottles. Always label clearly, and dilute before serving.

Heat Profile

Scoville range

1,000,000-1,200,000 SHU

Heat label

Extreme

Harvest window

Late summer to autumn

Sauce Index count

-

History & Culture

7 Pot varieties originate from Trinidad, where smallholder farmers cultivated them for communal cooking. The name references local tales that one pepper seasons seven pots of food. In the early 2000s, Caribbean hobbyists shared seeds online, spreading the pepper to collectors worldwide. Variants such as 7 Pot Douglah and 7 Pot Jonah emerged, each with unique color and flavor nuances. The pepper remains deeply tied to Trinidadian culinary heritage while anchoring the global superhot scene.

Botany & Growing Notes

7 Pot plants need long seasons, high humidity, and consistent warmth. Start seeds indoors 12 weeks before the last frost, using 30°C germination mats. Transplant into full sun when soil stays above 18°C. Plants reach 1 meter tall and benefit from pruning to improve airflow. Provide calcium-rich soil, regular feeding, and drip irrigation to avoid stress. Pods take 120 or more days to ripen, so greenhouses or indoor grow rooms help in cooler regions.

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FAQ

7 Pot typically measures 1,000,000-1,200,000 SHU (Extreme). Ranges shift with cultivar and growing conditions.

Sources

  • Republic of Heat tasting lab field notes
  • Producer dossiers submitted through Directus
  • Open cultivar registries & academic pepper research

We cross-reference seed banks, peer-reviewed literature, and reputable producer data for SHU and origin claims.

Reviewed by Republic of Heat - last updated 2025-11-08