Orange Habanero

When most people are asked what is the hottest pepper they have tried, the answer is most likely the Orange Habanero. This is the hottest pepper sold in most grocery stores and can sell for upwards of $8.00/lb or more. The heat level of this pepper is right around 300,000 scoville units which is more than enough to spice up any meal. I usually buy a couple pounds when the price is right and dehydrate them to use all year long is salsas and other meals that need a little kick. The Orange Habanero plant is very easy to grow and can produce a large amount of peppers if started early in the growing season.

Fresh Orange Habaneros

These Habaneros were cut in half to facilitate the drying process.

These were dried at 140 degrees fahrenheit for 9 hours.

Keep the dried Habaneros in air tight containers or ziploc bags for use all year long.

Trinidad 7 Pot / Pod

Capsicum chinense


This pepper is extremely hot and has a scoville unit range from about 600,000 - 800,000 or more when the growing conditions are right. This plant can take up to 120 days for harvest. The pepper has a citrus like flavor and is very potent tasting when eaten alone but works great for drying and grinding up into powders for use in hot salsas. The plant should be started early to guarantee harvest into the late summer. Medium to full sun works well with this plant type.

Hungarian Yellow Wax

Another great pepper for people who like medium hot peppers with great flavor. These peppers range from 4-6" long and get about 1" in diameter. They are fast growers and start off with a yellow banana like color, then turn to an orangish color when overly ripe. The peppers grow in clusters and usually point upwards as if they are begging to be picked. I enjoy these peppers during the green stage, but before I cook with them I use a blow torch to burn the skins off as these have a very thick waxy outer skin. These peppers are great for frying whole. Plants do great in full sun.