Tangerine Habanero

Tangerine Habanero is a bright orange or tangerine-coloured form within the habanero group of Capsicum chinense. The name refers to the mature fruit colour rather than a formally registered cultivar with a documented independent breeding history. It is generally associated with habanero lines originating from Mexico, particularly the Yucatan Peninsula.

Pods are typically lantern-shaped with lightly wrinkled skin and measure about 4.0 to 6.0 cm long and approximately 3.0 to 5.0 cm wide, though size varies by seed line and growing conditions. Fruit ripen from green to vivid orange or tangerine.

Heat for orange-type habaneros is commonly reported between 100000 and 350000 SHU. A working figure of 250000 SHU reflects a central estimate within that range. There are no widely published independent laboratory tests specific to a formally defined “Tangerine Habanero” line, and reported values align with general habanero testing data.

Flavour descriptions mention sweet, fruity and citrus-like notes before strong heat develops. These accounts are anecdotal and based on grower and culinary descriptions rather than formal sensory analysis.

There is no documented breeder release, cultivar registration, or clearly recorded first publication year specifically under the name “Tangerine Habanero.” The term appears primarily in seed catalogues and grower communities to describe colour rather than a distinct botanical entity. As a result, earliest documented reference is not clearly established.