Description
Chilli Name: WIRI WIRI
Chilli Species: Frutescens
Chilli Origin: Guyana
Chilli Heat: Very Hot
Wiri Wiri Chilli — A Fiery Little Berry from Guyana’s Chilli Heritage
Wiri Wiri is a traditional Capsicum frutescens variety native to Guyana, where it’s a staple ingredient in everyday cooking. Also known as the Guyana Cherry Pepper, it’s famous for its tiny, round shape, intense heat, and bold, fruity aroma — making it one of the most distinctive chillies in the region.
The pods are small and spherical, resembling miniature cherries, and ripen from green to a bright red or orange-red. Don’t be fooled by their size — Wiri Wiri packs a serious punch, typically measuring around 100,000 to 150,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The flavour is sharp, tangy, and slightly smoky, with a subtle sweetness beneath the heat.
The plant is compact and bushy, producing hundreds of fruit throughout the season. It thrives in warm, tropical conditions and is often grown in home gardens throughout Guyana and Suriname. In local cuisine, Wiri Wiri is used in hot sauces, stews, pickles, and pepper oil, valued for its ability to brighten a dish with both heat and flavour.
Wiri Wiri holds deep cultural value in Guyanese cooking — fiery, fruity, and full of character, it's a chilli that delivers far more than its tiny size would suggest.