Carmine

Carmine is a Peruvian Capsicum chinense line circulated under the accession-linked name Carmine PI 215731. It appears in documented pepper collections by 1971 and was later shared through hobby grow lists and seed catalogues under that same PI-linked identity.

The plant is described as sturdy, productive, and well suited to pot growing, with early fruit set and green foliage. Fruit descriptions are fairly consistent on the main look: elongated to slightly blocky wrinkled pods with a yellow mature colour, usually around 5.0 to 8.0 cm long and about 2.5 cm wide. White flowers and green stems are also specifically noted in the circulated descriptions.

Use descriptions centre on flavour as much as heat. Carmine is repeatedly described as having good flavour, and it is specifically mentioned for powder and hot salsa. Older catalogue text also describes the plants as perennial in habit, which fits the sturdy growth reputation attached to the line in circulation.

The main conflict around Carmine is heat. One exact Carmine description places it at 30,000 SHU, while another seller listing for the same named pepper gives 100,000 to 300,000 SHU, and broader catalogue listings place it anywhere from hot to very hot. Pod size also varies a little across sources, with some records giving about 5.0 cm fruit and others giving 7.0 to 8.0 cm fruit.