Scotch Bonnet

Scotch Bonnet is a Capsicum chinense variety named for its squashed, bonnet-like shape resembling a traditional Scottish Tam o'Shanter hat. The pods ripen from green through yellow and orange to red, measuring roughly 3–5 cm across, and carry a distinctive sweet, fruity flavor with notes often compared to tropical fruit. It is the defining pepper of Caribbean cuisine, essential to Jamaican jerk seasoning, pepper sauces, and rice dishes across the region.

Days to maturity

90–120 days

Plant height

60–120 cm (2–4 ft)

Best use

Caribbean jerk, hot sauces

Species

Capsicum chinense

Origin

Caribbean (Jamaica)