The Caribbean is well known for it's chile peppers, supplying most British supermarkets with the hot Scotch Bonnet varieties. But it is perhaps the island of Trinidad that has the most to offer people who are addicted to heat because this country is home to two of the hottest peppers on the planet - the elusive 7 Pod and Trinidad Scorpion varieties.
7 Pod (7 Pot)
Species: Chinense
Origin: Trinidad
Heat: Outrageously Hot
Currently one of the most sought after and difficult to obtain varieties, the 7 pod or 7 pot is is a Caribbean pepper, probably from Trinidad, that is said to be hot enough to add spice to seven pots of stew - hence the name. Bearing a similar shape to a habanero they also have the characteristic 'pimpling' that is found on that other well know variety of super hot pepper, the Naga Morich.
Image © Allen M Boatman [view more Trinidad varieties]
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Trinidad Scorpion
Species: Chinense
Origin: Trinidad
Heat: Outrageously Hot
Just a quick look at the pods on this Trinidad Scorpion plant tell you that this isn't going to be mild. The plants themselves are quite tall and produce a good number of pods which mature from green - orange - red when ripe. Their characteristic shape sees a two or three inch pendant which tapers to a sharp point, resmbling a tail - hence the name, Trinidad Scorpion. The pods mature to red approximately 90-120 days after transplanting - a fairly standard time when compared to other longer season varieties. We have classed the pods as "outrageously hot" on the heat scale. While they cannot quite compete with the Naga Morich and Bhut/Bih Jolokia, they are more than hot enough for us!
Image © Butch T [view more Trinidad varieties]
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Congo Trinidad
Species: Chinense
Origin: Trinidad
Heat: Very Hot
The local name for the habanero type chile peppers in Trinidad is the 'Congo Pepper'. This pepper is the extra large red habanero and significantly larger and more ribbed than the average red habanero. The plants produce a large number of pods which are approximately two inches long and wide, with intense heat (we calls them as "very hot") ripening to red after 80 days.
Image © John Taylor [view more Trinidad varieties]
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Trinidad Perfume
Species: Chinense
Origin: Trinidad
Heat: Mild
Another habanero type pepper but more unusually producing pods we would class as having a "mild" heat level. Pods are one to one and a half inches long by one to one and a quarter inches wide. They mature from green to yellow and have a fabulous aroma with a smokey flavour. A great variety for adding seasoning to dishes.
Image © Cross Country Nurseries [view more Trinidad varieties]
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