Habanero

The habanero is a small, lantern-shaped pepper that ripens from green to orange or red and is prized for its intense fruity aroma with hints of citrus, mango, and apricot alongside fierce heat. It is a staple of Yucatecan cuisine and widely used in Caribbean cooking, particularly in jerk sauces and fruit-based hot sauces. Genetic studies suggest origins in lowland Peru, with the pepper spreading through trade routes before becoming a cornerstone of Mexican and Caribbean kitchens.

Days to maturity

90–120 days

Plant height

60–90 cm (24–36 in)

Best use

Hot sauces, salsas, marinades

Species

Capsicum chinense

Origin

Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico (traded via Cuba)