Description
Chilli Name: PIMENTA DE CHEIRO (PI 441518)
Chilli Species: Chinense
Chilli Origin: Brazil
Chilli Heat: Mild
Pimenta de Cheiro (PI 441518) — A Fragrant Heirloom Chilli from the Heart of Brazil
Pimenta de Cheiro, accession PI 441518, is a traditional Capsicum chinense variety collected in Brazil, known for its incredible aroma, gentle heat, and deep culinary roots in Brazilian cooking. The name translates as “pepper of fragrance,” and it lives up to it — this variety is prized not for intense heat, but for its uniquely sweet, floral, and fruity scent that perfumes entire kitchens.
PI 441518 was officially collected as part of the USDA’s Plant Introduction program and represents a classic example of the Northeast Brazilian heirloom types, where Pimenta de Cheiro chillies are central to local food culture. These chillies are often used whole in stews, seafood dishes, and sauces, adding flavour and aroma without overwhelming heat.
The plants grow bushy and moderately tall, producing small, lantern-shaped pods that ripen from green to yellow or red depending on the strain. This particular accession typically matures to yellow. The heat level is mild — usually in the range of 1,000 to 5,000 SHU, though the flavour is intense and unmistakable.
Pimenta de Cheiro (PI 441518) is perfect for growers looking to explore the softer, more aromatic side of Capsicum chinense, especially those interested in cultural heirlooms and culinary diversity. It thrives in warm climates, but can be grown successfully in greenhouses or polytunnels in temperate regions.
A true gem of Brazilian food heritage — fragrant, flavourful, and full of history.
