Packin Heat
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Capsicum frutescens

Madre de Rios

Wild Peru
Scoville Heat Units 80,500
Barely Noticeable Mild Medium Hot Extremely Hot Ultra Hot
No Heat Gentle Medium-Mild Medium-Hot Very Hot Superhot
Mild Hot Ultra Hot
No Heat Medium Superhot
About this pepper

Madre de Rios is a wild Capsicum frutescens pepper native to the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. Plants are compact and bushy, typically reaching around 60 centimetres in height, and are well suited to small-space growing, including bonsai-style cultivation.

Pods are very small, round to oval, measuring approximately 6 to 13 millimetres in length. Fruits mature from green to bright red at full ripeness.

Heat levels are high for the fruit size, averaging around 80,500 Scoville Heat Units. The pepper is valued for its strong heat, unique flavour profile, and ornamental appeal rather than commercial production.