Description
Chilli Name : HANGIJAO 8 (Space Pepper 8)
Chilli Species : Annuum
Chilli Origin : China (Zhejiang Province)
Chilli Heat : Medium–Hot
Hangijao 8, also known as Space Pepper 8 (杭椒8号), is a refined cultivar from China’s Space Breeding Programme (航天育种). Developed by sending chilli seeds into orbit aboard a satellite to expose them to cosmic radiation and microgravity, the line was later stabilised in Zhejiang Province, producing one of the most uniform and productive chillies in the Hangjiao series.
This variety combines the best traits of the earlier Hangjiao lines — strong yield, uniform pod size, and improved flavour. It’s a favourite among Chinese farmers and markets, valued for its consistency, moderate heat, and glossy, attractive pods.
Pods are long and slender (12–15 cm), slightly twisted, and ripen from pale green to vivid red. The flavour is clean and lightly sweet with a crisp finish, while the heat sits in the medium–hot range (25,000–40,000 SHU). Hangijao 8 is widely used in stir-fried dishes, chilli oils, and pickled preparations, where its balanced burn and brightness shine.
Plants are upright (80–100 cm), fast-growing, and heavy cropping — well-suited to both field and greenhouse cultivation. Thanks to its space-bred genetics, Hangijao 8 demonstrates strong resilience to humidity, temperature swings, and disease.
Seeds germinate best at 26–30 °C, sprouting within 10–21 days. Plants mature in around 90–100 days, producing steady yields throughout summer.
