Description
Chilli Name: PIMENTA BALAOZINHO
Chilli Species: Chinense
Chilli Origin: Brazil
Chilli Heat: Mild
Pimenta Balaozinho Chilli — A Tiny, Balloon-Shaped Treasure from Brazil
Pimenta Balaozinho is a traditional Brazilian Capsicum chinense variety known for its distinctive balloon-like shape, sweet aroma, and mild heat. The name "Balaozinho" means “little balloon” in Portuguese — a fitting description for its small, rounded pods that puff out like tiny hot air balloons before tapering to a gentle point.
This variety is part of the broader Pimenta de Cheiro group — chillies prized in Brazil not for extreme heat, but for their incredible perfume and fruity flavour. Pimenta Balaozinho typically ripens to bright red, though some regional variants may appear in yellow or orange. Heat levels are very mild, often around 500–2,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), making it suitable for all palates.
The plant is compact and bushy, highly productive, and well-suited to warm climates or protected growing in temperate zones. Its pods are often used whole in stews, seafood, bean dishes, and sauces, where they infuse dishes with aroma and depth without overwhelming heat.
In short, Pimenta Balaozinho is a charming, culturally rich chilli — aromatic, accessible, and deeply rooted in Brazilian cuisine. A perfect choice for those who love the flavour of chinense types but prefer a gentler burn.
