Thai Birdseye Large

Thai Birdseye Large is a named form of the traditional Thai bird’s eye chilli, locally known as prik kee noo. It is distinguished from smaller bird’s eye types by slightly larger pods and seeds. Many seed listings classify this larger form as Capsicum frutescens, although some sources classify Thai bird’s eye chillies under Capsicum annuum, reflecting inconsistency in horticultural naming.

Pods are generally about 2.0 to 3.0 cm long and are slightly thicker than smaller bird’s eye types. They ripen from green to red and deliver sharp, immediate heat typical of Thai priks.

Heat is commonly reported between 30000 and 50000 SHU. A working value of 30000 SHU reflects the lower central range often cited for the larger form. Smaller bird’s eye types are frequently reported as hotter. There are no widely published independent laboratory tests specific to the “Large” designation, and figures come from grower and seller reports.

This chilli is widely used in Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine, both fresh and dried. It is used in salads, sauces, curry pastes, and stir fries. Flavour is described as fruity and biting beneath the heat, though these descriptions are anecdotal rather than based on formal sensory studies.

The larger form appears in seed catalogues as a recognised variation rather than a formally documented breeding release. There are no clear breeder records for the “Large” type. Thai bird’s eye chillies trace back to early introduction of Capsicum species to Southeast Asia following the Columbian exchange in the 16th century, with local selection over generations for culinary use.