The Habanero pepper is a bright orange pod with fruity flavor and spicy heat — that’s only scratching the surface. I can tell you it’s also incredibly colorful, versatile in the kitchen, and these chile plants grow like crazy! In this complete guide, we dive deep into different types of Habaneros, recipes, how to grow them, heat comparisons and more.
I feel a special connection to the Habanero pepper because it was one of the first hot chilies I grew. Chile Habanero is also essential to the cuisine of the Yucatán, where Jesse (my partner) has roots.
Habanero peppers happen to be delicious in all kinds of recipes. If you grow them, you’ll be thrilled with how many chiles you can get off one plant – definitely enough to share!
There’s a lot to the Habanero. We’ll get into all the interesting facts, including the Habanero origin, Scoville, using them in recipes, and growing Habanero peppers.
Table Of Contents
Let’s get started!
HABANERO PEPPER FACTS:
| Common Names: | Habanero pepper, Chile Habanero |
| Scoville Heat Units (SHU): | 150,000 to 325,000 (Orange Habanero) / 500,000+ (other varieties) |
| Capsicum Species: | capsicum Chinense |
| Days To Harvest: | 75 to 110 days |
| Size: | Peppers: 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) long and 1.5 in (4 cm) wide. Plant: 2-5 ft tall (0.6-1.5m) tall (can grow higher) |
| Flavor: | bright, fruity, very spicy, floral aftertaste (depends on Habanero variety) |
| Culinary Uses: | Yucatecan cuisine, hot sauces, salsas, marinades, rubs, powders |
About the Habanero Pepper
What is a Habanero pepper? First, the Habanero is a historical chile going back over 8,500 years. Today, it’s one of the more popular Mexican chiles – the word “Habanero” gets at least 100K monthly searches on Google!
Habanero Meaning
Part of the Habanero origin story includes its meaning. Chile Habanero gets its name after the Cuban city of Havana. In fact, Habanero in Spanish means “chili from la Habana” where it was one of the first major producers of this spicy pepper.
Habanero Pepper Origin
The Habanero has roots in South America along the Amazon Basin [source]. Early versions of this pepper looked more like Chile Pequín before they evolved into the pendant-shaped pods that we now know as domesticated Habaneros.
Habanero peppers eventually spread to Costa Rica, Belize, Mexico, Europe and other parts of the world. In time, this exposure reached Dutch botanist — Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin — where he misidentified the Habanero as “capsicum Chinense” or “Chinese pepper.”
Currently, the Yucatán Peninsula is the largest provider of Chile Habanero. And these peppers are serious business! When the Yucatán state filed the trademark “Chile habanero de Yucatán,” farmers in Quintana Roo and Campeche responded with a lawsuit.
Why? These other producers didn’t want the world to think Habanero was only from the state of Yucatán. As a result, the title changed in 2010 to “Chile habanero de la península de Yucatán” in a peaceful resolution.
Source:
- (Sterling, David, Yucatán: Recipes from a Culinary Expedition, University of Texas Press, Austin, 2014, p. 65)
Note: If you click the link and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Habanero Pepper Scoville
So, how hot is a Habanero pepper?
To start, the Habanero was the 1999 Guinness World Records holder for the world’s hottest pepper. On the Scoville heat unit scale (SHU), Habaneros rank between 150,000 to 500,000+ SHUs, depending on the Habanero variety.
When it comes to the Habanero vs Jalapeno pepper, the hottest Orange Habanero has the potential to be over 100 times hotter than the mildest Jalapeno. And the top Ghost pepper Scoville rating (1,041,427 SHU) is about seven times hotter than a mild Habanero.
Besides the Habanero pepper variety, stressful growing conditions can impact the spiciness. Tactics like reducing water and keeping nitrogen low, for example, are known to jack up the heat.
What Do Habanero Peppers Look Like?
Habanero peppers are typically 1 to 2.5 inches (2.5 to 6.4 cm) in length and 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) in diameter. These pods have a smooth, shiny skin when mature.
The most common Habanero chili color is bright orange. All Habanero peppers start green, no matter the type of Habanero, before turning their mature color.
Habanero Flavor
The typical Orange Habanero has a fruity flavor with hints of citrus and a floral aftertaste. The burning sensation starts within seconds of chewing, so you need a good heat tolerance!
The Habanero flavor profile goes well with sweet and bitter fruits, such as mango and sour orange. (You’ll find plenty of Habanero recipes featuring these combinations.) Habaneros are also commonly paired with Poblano peppers in salsas and hot sauces.
Different Habanero varieties tend to share the spicy, fruity flavor. The Yucatán White Habanero and Caribbean Red are hotter and more citrusy (in my opinion). The Chocolate Habanero – another extremely hot variety – is fruity with the addition of an earthy, smoky taste.
Green Habanero
When my in-laws visited, I curiously watched my father-in-law skip the orange pods and pick the green, unripe Habaneros like the one pictured. I didn’t realize then that many people prefer these chilies in their immature state.
The green Habanero pepper tastes similar to the orange, except with a more vegetable-like flavor, slight bitterness, and less heat. Yucatán markets commonly sell green and orange Habaneros because some prefer the green version for this subtle change in flavor and spice.
A popular recipe using green or orange Habaneros is Chile Tamulado. This Yucatecan roasted salsa functions as a table sauce and completes meals.
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Types Of Habanero (With Pictures)
You’re probably familiar with the bright orange Habanero, but these types of chilies can be many different colors like red, brown, yellow, mustard, white, and peach. Below are some of the most popular Habanero varieties.
Red Habanero Pepper
Fruity, rich red and extra hot describes this kind of Habanero. Red pepper varieties like the Red Savina (upwards of 500,000 SHU) and Caribbean Red Habanero (up to 475,000 SHU) are bred to be larger and hotter than the Orange Habanero.
» Buy: Red Savina Seeds | Caribbean Red Habanero Seeds | Red Habanero Peppers
Chocolate Habanero Pepper
Dark brown and black Habaneros are smoky and earthy besides being citrusy. The Chocolate Habanero pepper rates up to 577,000 SHU, making it another one of the hottest varieties. (It’s my favorite!)
» Buy: Chocolate Habanero Seeds
White Habanero
Many white Habaneros are hotter than the orange variety, with a citrusy flavor and not much of a floral aftertaste. Peppers like the Yucatán White Habanero (up to 500,000 SHU) have a smaller jelly bean shape and go from green to a creamy yellowish-white when ripe.
» Buy: White Habanero Seeds
Here are some more Habanero cultivars:
- Peach Habanero (seeds)
- Golden Habanero (seeds)
- Jamaican Yellow Habanero (seeds)
- Mustard Habanero
- Black Congo
» Related: 30 Places to Buy Pepper Seeds Online
Habanero Pepper Benefits
Besides flavor and heat, there are many health benefits to eating Habaneros.
For one thing, the Habanero (like all peppers) is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C [source]. In fact, a single Habanero gives you more than the recommended Vitamin C for the day! Chilies are also high in fiber, potassium, beta-carotene, and folic acid.
Capsaicin – the active component in peppers – can do many beneficial things for the body. For example, it may potentially prevent cancer [source]. Other capsaicin benefits include (but are not limited to) relieving inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, lowering blood pressure, and improving insulin sensitivity [source].
Where To Buy Habanero Peppers
Here’s how to find fresh Habanero peppers near you if you can’t find them in your grocery or health food store:
- Check your nearby farmer’s market during the spring and summer season
- Look in Asian or Mexican markets
- Search Instacart (my favorite way to find Habanero peppers near me). You don’t need an account to search for shops that carry Habanero peppers in your area.
» Tip: Check Etsy for Fresh Habanero Peppers
You can also buy dried Habanero peppers, pepper flakes, and powders online. (Here’s how to rehydrate dried peppers.)
More Habanero Products:
Dried Habanero Peppers
Angie’s Dried Habanero Chiles
(100K – 350K SHU)
Habanero Pepper Powder
Spiceology Habanero Powder
(200K – 400K SHU)
Habanero Pepper Flakes
The Original Habanero Shaker
(~200K SHU)
Habanero Recipes
Wondering what to do with Habanero peppers? Here are some recipes to get you started:
- Habanero margarita recipe
- Habanero appetizers
- Habanero dinner recipes
- Habanero canning recipes
- Habanero salsa recipes
- Habanero hot sauce
- Habanero condiments
- Habanero gummy bears
» Related: 24 Recipes Using Habanero Peppers That Really Bring the Heat
Tips
Wear gloves when handling Habaneros because you don’t want to get chili burn! If it happens, wash with warm water and dish soap. You can also apply full-fat dairy, such as milk or sour cream, if the burn is intense.
It’s a myth that a pepper’s spiciness comes from the seeds. If you want to lower the heat, remove the white pith to take away some of the heat.
Buy Habanero Sauce
If you want try a Habanero sauce, Marie Sharp’s Habanero Pepper Sauce is one of my favorites!
- Hot sauces from a Belizean Red Habanero / carrot sauce blend.
- Discount Code: GHP10 (use on Marie Sharp’s website)
Marie Sharp’s makes delicious hot sauces from a Belizean Red Habanero / carrot sauce blend. Online sources list the Scoville of these Habanero sauces from 50,000 to 250,000 SHUs (not confirmed). Use code GHP10 on Marie Sharp’s for discount.
Substitute For Habanero Peppers
Habaneros are some of the easier hot peppers to find in store, but here’s what you can use as a replacement if you need it.
- Scotch Bonnet pepper: The Scotch Bonnet is the best Habanero pepper substitute as it has an almost exact heat and flavor profile. Scotch Bonnets are even harder to find, but if you have a Caribbean grocery, Sprouts or Whole Foods nearby (and it’s the season), you may luck out!
- Serrano pepper: Serranos aren’t quite as hot as Habaneros, but they definitely have heat. The flavor is more vegetal than citrusy, but Serranos are a good Habanero replacement and somewhat easier to find.
- Jalapeno pepper: The Jalapeno Scoville is lower in heat, but you can use them as Habanero substitutes in a pinch. Like Serranos, Jalapenos are more vegetable-like in flavor and juicy. Best of all, Jalapeno peppers are the easiest to find in stores.
Growing Habanero Peppers
In my experience, growing Habanero pepper plants takes around seven months, from planting seeds to picking chilies. Here are the specifics on how to grow Habaneros.
When To Start: Plan to start your Habanero plants at least six weeks before your last expected frost. (This calculator tells you when to plant peppers in your area.)
Planting Seeds: Sow Habanero seeds in moistened seed-starting mix, then cover the mix with a lid or plastic cling wrap that has openings for airflow. Put your containers on top of a plant heat mat so that the growing temperature is between 80-90°F (27-32°C). Habanero seeds can take one to three weeks to germinate.
First time growing peppers from seed?
Learn to grow peppers with my step-by-step, illustrated ebook. It’ll help you skip a lot of beginner mistakes so that you can enjoy harvesting your own chilies!
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Indoor Seedlings: After your pepper seedlings sprout, take the cover off, and hang a plant grow light over your plants. I recommend keeping the light on for 16 hours during the day and 8 hours off at night.
Preparing For Outdoors: Wait for your Habanero seedlings to grow four or more true leaves, then transfer them to mid-sized containers. (Here’s more on when to transplant pepper seedlings.) Start hardening pepper plants after outdoor temperatures are consistently at least 55°F (13°C) to prepare for the permanent move outside.
Fruiting Plants: Move your plants to an outdoor area that gets at least 8 hours of sun a day. Keep a regular water and fertilizer schedule. (Here’s the best fertilizer for pepper plants.)
One way to know when to pick Habaneros is by tracking how long they’ve been outside — generally, this is anywhere between 75 to 110 days after transplant. Here’s more on growing Habanero plants in pots.
How To Store Habanero Peppers
If you can’t use your Habaneros within two weeks, drop your unwashed peppers in a sealable bag, then place them in the veggie drawer in your refrigerator. To store Habaneros longer, wash and dry them, then put them in a freezer bag so you can keep your chilies for up to eight months in the freezer.
Habanero Pepper FAQs
Are Habaneros and Scotch Bonnet peppers the same?
Comparing the Scotch Bonnet vs Habanero, these peppers are closely related but different. They have similar heat, but flavorwise, you’ll notice subtle nuances: for example, the Scotch Bonnet is more fruity, while Habaneros have a slight bitterness. Also, Scotch Bonnets are a staple in Caribbean cuisine, and Habaneros are essential to Yucatecan cooking.
What color of Habanero is hottest?
The red, brown and (some) white Habanero varieties are hotter than the Orange Habanero, but the hottest is the Chocolate Habanero. The Red Savina and Yucatán White Habanero are slightly less hot than the chocolate cultivar.
How many peppers does a Habanero plant produce?
In my experience, you’ll get 50 to 100 Habaneros off one plant. Of course, this depends on cooperative weather and no major pest issues. Keep picking your Habaneros when they’re ripe to ensure you get as many chilies as possible.
Wrapping Up
I hope you enjoyed immersing yourself in the world of the Habanero pepper. It’s one of the best hot chilies for spicy food recipes, growing and sharing!
Ready to start your own Habanero plants? Here’s my ultimate guide on how to grow peppers from seed. 🌶
Roasted Habanero Salsa Recipe: Chile Tamulado
Yield: 1/3 cup
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
This simple mix of Habaneros (green or orange), sour orange juice (naranja agria), garlic, and salt makes a seriously hot and delicious Chile Tamulado. Use this roasted Habanero salsa recipe as a table sauce to complete meals.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Seville (sour orange) juice OR juice substitute (see below)
- Juice Substitute: 2 parts freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 part freshly squeezed orange juice, 1 part freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (not pink)
- 12 to 15 medium green or orange Habaneros (washed with stems removed)
- 2 garlic cloves (skins on)
- Sea salt to taste
- OPTIONAL HEAT ADJUSTER: Use Jalapenos and/or Serranos in place of some of the Habaneros to lower the heat
- OPTIONAL HEAT ADJUSTER: Use tomatillos for green Habanero salsa, or large yellow tomatoes for orange Habaneros to bring down the heat
- OPTIONAL (if using tomatillos or tomatoes): Avocado oil, Grapeseed oil or other high-heat oil of choice
Instructions
If Using Optional Tomatillos or Tomatoes
- Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut washed tomatillos or tomatoes in half. Pour 1-2 TBSP oil over them and mix to coat.
- Lay your tomatillos or tomatoes cut side down on the baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly charred.
Main Steps
- Add your Habaneros and garlic to a heated cast iron skill or grill pan. Char the peppers and garlic.
- Wait for the garlic to cool, then peel the cloves.
- Add all the ingredients -- including the optional roasted tomatillos or tomatoes -- to a blender and process until smooth.
- Be careful opening the blender so that you don't breath in the heavy fumes. Pour your salsa into a container.
- Allow the salsa to sit on the counter for at least 15 minutes before serving. You can keep this sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Heat Level: This salsa is extremely hot when you make it without the optional ingredients (Yucatán style). Use green Habaneros and one or both of the heat adjuster items to bring down the spiciness.
Green Habaneros: Using unripe, green Habaneros gives your salsa a more vegetal flavor with less heat.
Salt: You can blend this recipe with a pinch of salt to start. After sitting for 15 minutes (step 5), continue to add more salt until it reaches the level you like.
Recipe Yield: You will end up with more than the 1/3 cup of salsa if you add the optional tomatillos or tomatoes to this recipe.
Salsa Color: The finished sauce will be green, brownish orange (pictured) or a darker brown depending on whether you use green or orange Habaneros and how much charring you do.
Potent Fumes: Habaneros produce a strong aroma that makes you cough. Keep your face turned when you open the blender (or wear a face mask). You can also open a window and run a fan to help get rid of the fumes, which linger for about an hour after blending.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 27Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mg
Calories based on original recipe without the optional ingredients.
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View the Web Story on types of Habaneros.
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- Scotch Bonnet vs Habanero: Revealing 3 Key Differences in This Spicy Family
- Pimento Peppers (Pimiento Peppers): A Definitive Guide to This Heart-Shaped Chile
- Chile Puya 101: About This Spicy Delicious Mexican Pepper (+ How to Grow Them!)
- Chile Pasilla: About the Delicious “Little Raisin” Pepper + 7 Step Pasilla Sauce Recipe
