Description
Chilli Name: TURRIALBA (GRIF 15853)
Chilli Species: Chinense
Chilli Origin: Costa Rica
Chilli Heat: Superhot
Turrialba (GRIF 15853) Chilli — A Traditional Costa Rican Chilli with Culinary Heritage
Turrialba, accession GRIF 15853, is a traditional chilli variety from the Turrialba region of Costa Rica, preserved in the USDA’s GRIF (Genetic Resources Information Facility) database. Belonging to the Capsicum annuum species, this chilli is part of Central America’s rich agricultural history, where it has long been cultivated for both fresh use and cooking.
Named after the fertile volcanic highlands of Turrialba, this variety grows as a bushy plant with good productivity and resilience in humid tropical climates. The pods are typically medium-sized, conical, and straight, maturing from green to a rich red. They offer a mild to medium heat, generally estimated between 5,000 and 15,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) — enough to bring flavour and warmth without overpowering a dish.
Turrialba chillies are known for their clean, slightly sweet flavour, making them ideal for table sauces, fresh salsas, and traditional Costa Rican recipes. Because of their balanced profile, they are often used similarly to jalapeños or other everyday cooking chillies.
The plant is adaptable and grows well in both open ground and containers, especially in warm conditions with plenty of sunlight. Though not widely known outside Central America, the Turrialba chilli is an excellent example of a regional landrace — shaped by generations of local cultivation and deeply tied to its origin landscape.
For those looking to explore heirloom Central American varieties, GRIF 15853 (Turrialba) offers great flavour, mild heat, and cultural depth straight from the hills of Costa Rica.