Description
Chilli Name: RED FIRE (CAP 691)
Chilli Species: Baccatum
Chilli Origin: Chile
Chilli Heat: Hot
Red Fire (CAP 691) Chilli — A Wild and Fiery Baccatum from the Chilean Highlands
Red Fire, known by its accession number CAP 691, is a wild chilli from Chile, classified under Capsicum baccatum var. baccatum. Collected as part of the CAPS (Chile Pepper Institute) accession series, this variety is sometimes referred to by its descriptive name "Red Fire" due to its intense heat and vivid red pods.
The plant grows with a wild, sprawling habit, often forming a low, bushy shrub. Flowers show the classic greenish-yellow spots on white petals that define the baccatum species. The pods are small, upright, and bullet-shaped, ripening to a bright, fiery red. Despite its small size, Red Fire carries a serious punch — typically in the range of 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), making it one of the hotter wild baccatum accessions.
Because it originates from highland regions of Chile, CAP 691 is well-adapted to cooler conditions, low-nutrient soils, and dry climates — traits that make it valuable for breeding projects focused on resilience and adaptability. It is also popular with chilli enthusiasts who enjoy growing wild species with authentic regional heritage.
While not a commercial culinary variety, Red Fire (CAP 691) offers bold flavour, ornamental value, and a deep connection to South America’s wild Capsicum gene pool — a fiery reminder of chilli’s ancient, untamed roots.
