Description
Chilli Name: TETINAS DE MONK
Chilli Species: Annuum
Chilli Origin: Europe
Chilli Heat: Mild
Tetinas de Monk Chilli — A Humorous Name for a Unique Ornamental Chilli
Tetinas de Monk is a rare and playful-looking chilli variety, likely from the Capsicum annuum species, known primarily for its unusual pod shape and striking ornamental value. The name — loosely translating from dialect or slang as “Monk’s Nipples” or “Little Teats of the Monk” — refers to the pod’s distinctive, rounded base with a small pointed tip.
The plant is compact, productive, and well-suited to container growing. It produces small, erect pods that ripen from green to orange and then red, often displaying multiple colours on the plant at once. The pods are mild to medium in heat, usually in the range of 5,000–15,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), with a clean, slightly sweet flavour and a quick bite.
Though not much is documented in scientific records, Tetinas de Monk is believed to have originated as a local variety or folk selection, possibly from southern Europe, where quirky heirloom names and unusual pod shapes are part of long chilli traditions. It's also been circulated among hobbyists for its visual appeal and novelty factor.
This variety isn’t bred for commercial yield or extreme heat — it’s grown for curiosity, ornamental gardens, and chilli diversity collections. A fun, cheeky addition for growers who appreciate chilli culture in all its colourful forms.
