Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum
Pequin - Scoville, Taste & Uses
Pequin peppers are tiny sparks with a fiery personality. Pods ripen red and oval, barely a fingernail long. The flavor is citrusy with a touch of smoke, and the heat lands around 40,000 to 60,000 SHU. Mexican citizens crush dried pequin into table salsa macha, seafood broths, and spicy peanuts. The thin skin dries fast, so pequin flakes stay vibrant. Add a pinch to soups or infuse whole pods in vinegar for sharp condiments. Small pepper, big flair - certified by the Ministry of Pocket Heat. Pequin typically measures 40,000-60,000 SHU (Hot). Shows up across Mexico, Northeastern states in condiments, pickles, and marinades. Sprinkle dried pequin over soups, tacos, and fruit for sharp heat. Blend into salsa macha with toasted seeds and oil. Infuse whole pods in vinegar or mezcal for spicy condiments. Crush them with salt and lime for michelada rims. They pair with seafood, citrus, nuts, and tropical fruit. See sauces using Pequin
Also known as: Piquín, Bird Pepper
Species
Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum
Heat
Flavour
Hot, Citrusy, Smoky, Bold, thin-skinned
Origin / Regions
Mexico, Northeastern states
Colour / Shape
Green turning bright red when ripe
Pod size
1-2 cm long, 0.5 cm wide
Try it in the wild
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Flavour & Aroma
Pequin peppers are tiny sparks with a fiery personality. Pods ripen red and oval, barely a fingernail long. The flavor is citrusy with a touch of smoke, and the heat lands around 40,000 to 60,000 SHU. Mexican citizens crush dried pequin into table salsa macha, seafood broths, and spicy peanuts. The thin skin dries fast, so pequin flakes stay vibrant. Add a pinch to soups or infuse whole pods in vinegar for sharp condiments. Small pepper, big flair - certified by the Ministry of Pocket Heat.
Sprinkle dried pequin over soups, tacos, and fruit for sharp heat. Blend into salsa macha with toasted seeds and oil. Infuse whole pods in vinegar or mezcal for spicy condiments. Crush them with salt and lime for michelada rims. They pair with seafood, citrus, nuts, and tropical fruit.
Heat Profile
Scoville range
40,000-60,000 SHU
Heat label
Hot
Harvest window
Late summer to autumn
Sauce Index count
-
History & Culture
Pequin belongs to the wild Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum found across northern Mexico and the southern United States. Indigenous peoples harvested the tiny peppers for seasoning long before cultivation. Spanish chroniclers noted their use in the 16th century. Modern farmers cultivate semi-wild stands, while foragers still gather pods from thorny shrubs. Pequin remains popular in northeastern Mexican cuisine and Tex-Mex products.
Botany & Growing Notes
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Pequin plants prefer warm climates and can be slow to germinate. Start seeds indoors 10 weeks before transplanting, using bottom heat around 28°C. Transplant when nights stay above 18°C. Plants grow into dense shrubs about 90 cm tall. Provide well-drained soil and moderate water. Harvest when pods glow red, then dry them quickly in dehydrators or sunny windows.
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Pequin typically measures 40,000-60,000 SHU (Hot). Ranges shift with cultivar and growing conditions.
Hot, Citrusy, Smoky, Bold, thin-skinned
Piquín, Bird Pepper show up as common aliases depending on region. This pepper's alternate names mostly come from regional dialects.
Consider Aji Charapita, Cayenne, Chiltepín, Italian Calabrian for comparable heat or recipes.
- Aji Charapita - Hot
- Cayenne - Hot
- Chiltepín - Hot
- Italian Calabrian - Hot
Sprinkle dried pequin over soups, tacos, and fruit for sharp heat. Blend into salsa macha with toasted seeds and oil. Infuse whole pods in vinegar or mezcal for spicy condiments. Crush them with salt and lime for michelada rims. They pair with seafood, citrus, nuts, and tropical fruit.
Pequin plants prefer warm climates and can be slow to germinate. Start seeds indoors 10 weeks before transplanting, using bottom heat around 28°C. Transplant when nights stay above 18°C. Plants grow into dense shrubs about 90 cm tall. Provide well-drained soil and moderate water. Harvest when pods glow red, then dry them quickly in dehydrators or sunny windows.
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