Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum
Chiltepín - Scoville, Taste & Uses
Chiltepín is the wild grandmother of many domesticated peppers. Tiny round pods burst with instant heat and earthy brightness. They grow on shrubs across Sonoran deserts, often harvested by hand. Crunching a single berry releases a sharp, clean burn around 50,000 to 100,000 SHU. Indigenous communities like the Tohono O’odham have used chiltepín for generations in sauces, teas, and rituals. Sprinkle crushed pods over eggs, beans, or fruit for immediate spice. Wild spirit, concentrated fire - protected by the Ministry of Desert Heat. Chiltepín typically measures 50,000-100,000 SHU (Hot). Shows up across Mexico and U.S. Southwest deserts in condiments, pickles, and marinades. Crush chiltepín over tacos, soups, and beans for sharp heat. Steep in vinegar or oil to create table condiments. Blend into salsa chiltepín with roasted tomatoes and garlic. The pepper pairs with citrus, squash, eggs, and grilled meats. Because the burn hits fast and fades, it suits quick snacks. See sauces using Chiltepín
Also known as: Chiltepin, Bird’s Eye of the Desert
Species
Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum
Heat
Flavour
Hot, Earthy, Bright, Bold, thin-skinned
Origin / Regions
Mexico and U.S. Southwest deserts
Colour / Shape
Green turning bright red
Pod size
0.5-1 cm diameter, round
Try it in the wild
Get sauces featuring Chiltepín
3 European small-batch sauces - flavour, fire and occasionally a bit of chaos, in a box.
Sauces Using Chiltepín
Explore how makers use Chiltepín across styles and regions.
We have not logged sauces featuring Chiltepín yet.
Flavour & Aroma
Chiltepín is the wild grandmother of many domesticated peppers. Tiny round pods burst with instant heat and earthy brightness. They grow on shrubs across Sonoran deserts, often harvested by hand. Crunching a single berry releases a sharp, clean burn around 50,000 to 100,000 SHU. Indigenous communities like the Tohono O’odham have used chiltepín for generations in sauces, teas, and rituals. Sprinkle crushed pods over eggs, beans, or fruit for immediate spice. Wild spirit, concentrated fire - protected by the Ministry of Desert Heat.
Crush chiltepín over tacos, soups, and beans for sharp heat. Steep in vinegar or oil to create table condiments. Blend into salsa chiltepín with roasted tomatoes and garlic. The pepper pairs with citrus, squash, eggs, and grilled meats. Because the burn hits fast and fades, it suits quick snacks.
Heat Profile
Scoville range
50,000-100,000 SHU
Heat label
Hot
Harvest window
Late summer to early winter
Sauce Index count
-
History & Culture
Chiltepín plants are native to the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. Archaeological evidence shows their use long before European contact. Spanish explorers noted locals gathering the berries from thorny shrubs. Despite domestication attempts, many chiltepín crops still rely on semi-wild stands. Conservation efforts in Sonora aim to protect habitats where these peppers thrive under mesquite canopies. Today, chiltepín remains a cultural icon and state native pepper of Texas.
Botany & Growing Notes
▼
Chiltepín seeds need warmth and patience. Scarify lightly, then start indoors 10 to 12 weeks before planting. Maintain germination temperatures near 30°C. Transplant into well-drained soil with light afternoon shade. Plants grow 1 to 1.5 meters tall and appreciate support. Because they are perennial in frost-free zones, protect roots during winter. Harvest berries as they turn bright red, drying them quickly.
Trial Box visual placeholder
- 3 × 100 ml sauces (varied styles)
- Tasting card & pairing pointers
- Ships EU-wide; limited runs
Trial Box
One-off box to explore heat and flavour across different sauce styles. No commitment; just taste and take notes.
Buy Trial BoxFAQ
Chiltepín typically measures 50,000-100,000 SHU (Hot). Ranges shift with cultivar and growing conditions.
Hot, Earthy, Bright, Bold, thin-skinned
Chiltepin, Bird’s Eye of the Desert show up as common aliases depending on region. This pepper's alternate names mostly come from regional dialects.
Consider Aji Charapita, Cayenne, Italian Calabrian, Pequin for comparable heat or recipes.
- Aji Charapita - Hot
- Cayenne - Hot
- Italian Calabrian - Hot
- Pequin - Hot
Crush chiltepín over tacos, soups, and beans for sharp heat. Steep in vinegar or oil to create table condiments. Blend into salsa chiltepín with roasted tomatoes and garlic. The pepper pairs with citrus, squash, eggs, and grilled meats. Because the burn hits fast and fades, it suits quick snacks.
Chiltepín seeds need warmth and patience. Scarify lightly, then start indoors 10 to 12 weeks before planting. Maintain germination temperatures near 30°C. Transplant into well-drained soil with light afternoon shade. Plants grow 1 to 1.5 meters tall and appreciate support. Because they are perennial in frost-free zones, protect roots during winter. Harvest berries as they turn bright red, drying them quickly.
Use gloves, ventilation, and soap to remove capsaicin oils.
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 2025-11-10