Capsicum annuum var. aviculare

The Tepin Pepper, also known as chiltepín, Indian pepper, chiltepe, chile tepín, turkey, bird's eye, or bird peppers, is native to the Sonoran Desert in the Southwest of the USA, bordering Mexico, parts of Texas and Arizona, and in Central and South America. It is considered the original form of today's cultivated chili varieties.

Due to its elaborate harvesting process, this chili variety is challenging to cultivate commercially and is considered one of the world's most expensive spices. It typically grows to about 1 cm and has a round to tapered red fruit. The Tepin pepper plant usually grows up to 120 cm in the wild, under the shade of trees. However, cultivated plants tend to be smaller and require a more extended maturation period of up to 200 days, making them suitable for harvesting on a warm windowsill in winter.

The Tepin pepper has been used for over 9000 years and is considered sacred in many Native American tribes. Despite its relatively low Scoville rating, the spiciness is immediately noticeable upon ingestion and dissipates quickly, leaving an intense sensation in the mouth for a short period.

Height: 2'
Spread: 2'
Bloom: May-November
Light: Full sun, Part Sun, Full Shade
Water: Low
Zone: 8, 9
Origin: Texas, Southwest & Mexico