Tabasco Pepper

Tabasco peppers are a Capsicum frutescens variety native to the Mexican state of Tabasco, distinguished by erect fruits that ripen from pale yellow through orange to bright red. The 1.5–2-inch pods have a distinctive watery, juicy flesh—unusual among chiles—which made them the original and defining ingredient in Tabasco-brand hot sauce, produced since the 1860s on Avery Island, Louisiana. Plants are vigorous and can grow quite tall under warm conditions.

Days to maturity

80–100 days from transplant

Plant height

90–180 cm (3–6 ft)

Best use

Hot sauce, vinegar-based condiments

Species

Capsicum frutescens

Origin

Tabasco state, Mexico