Scotch bonnet

Scotch Bonnet

The Scotch bonnet, also known as bonney peppers, or Caribbean red peppers, is a variety of chili pepper named for its resemblance to a tam o' shanter hat. It is native to the Caribbean islands and is one of the hottest peppers in the world.

Description

The Scotch bonnet has a sweeter flavor and stouter shape, distinct from its habanero relative with which it is often confused, and gives jerk dishes (pork/chicken) and other Caribbean dishes their unique flavor. Scotch bonnets are mostly used in West African, Grenadian, Trinidadian, Jamaican, Barbadian, Guyanese, Surinamese, Haitian and Cayman cuisines and pepper sauces, though they often show up in other Caribbean recipes.

Heat

Scotch bonnets are one of the most intensely spicy species of chili peppers of the Capsicum genus. They rank anywhere from 100,000 to 350,000 on the Scoville scale, the measurement of the pungency (spicy heat) of chili peppers.

Cultivation

Scotch bonnets are grown throughout the Caribbean, and in some parts of the Americas such as Florida and California. They are also grown in other hot regions like India and West Africa.

Uses

Scotch bonnets are used to flavor many different dishes and cuisines worldwide and are often used in hot sauces and condiments. The Scotch bonnet has a flavor distinct from its habanero cousin giving it a unique place in many recipes.

See Also

• Capsicum
• Chili pepper
• Habanero
• Jerk spice
• Scoville scale

External Links

• Scotch Bonnet Pepper - Chili Pepper Madness
• Scotch Bonnet Pepper - PepperScale