Also known by the Chinese name “Zhi Tian Jiao,” which evokes peppers growing toward the sky, this chili pepper stands out for its unusual growth habit: its small red peppers rise above the foliage and may form clusters resembling a seven-pointed star.
With peppers around 4 cm long, bushy growth, and abundant fruiting, Sichuan 7 Stars is valued for its ornamental appearance as well as its culinary qualities. It will fit right into a vegetable garden, greenhouse, or large pot on a sunny patio.
These 20 Sichuan 7 Stars chili pepper seeds let you grow this Chinese variety at home. It is popular with fans of aromatic chili peppers and Asian cuisine.
The Sichuan 7 Stars chili pepper has an aromatic flavor with fresh, slightly citrusy notes, making it particularly well suited to Asian cooking. Its moderate heat adds spice without overpowering the other ingredients.
It works beautifully in recipes inspired by Sichuan cuisine, known for its bold, fragrant flavor combinations. Fresh or dried, it can be used to make homemade sauces, marinades, vegetable stir-fries, or meat dishes.
How can you use Sichuan 7 Stars chili peppers in cooking?
Make a marinade with lime juice and zest, soy sauce, minced garlic, a little honey, and finely chopped Sichuan 7 Stars chili pepper. Coat the pork ribs with the mixture, refrigerate for several hours to marinate, then cook slowly in the oven or on the grill until the meat is tender and caramelized.
The pepper’s aroma and the freshness of the lime add a tangy, spicy touch that brings out the best in pork ribs. Adjust the amount of chili pepper to taste.
Sichuan 7 Stars has a heat level of 5 out of 10, estimated at approximately 5,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This puts it in the moderately hot chili pepper category.
Its heat is approachable for spice lovers who want to focus on aroma and flavor. It’s a good choice for discovering Chinese chili peppers and adding variety to your vegetable garden harvest.
Gardeners with a warm, sunny spot can grow Sichuan 7 Stars chili peppers. Like other Capsicum annuum varieties, this one thrives in warmth, plenty of light, and fertile, well-drained soil.
Sow the seeds between February and April in a fine, light seed-starting mix at a temperature of 22 to 28 °C. Under good conditions, germination generally takes 6 to 20 days.
A mini greenhouse and heat mat are recommended to encourage germination. Keep the growing medium slightly moist, but not overly wet, to prevent the seeds from rotting.
When the seedlings have several true leaves, carefully transplant them into individual pots. Gradually acclimate the plants to outdoor conditions before moving them to their final growing location.
Plant them in the ground or in pots after the last frost, ideally waiting an additional 2 to 3 weeks if the weather remains cool.
The Sichuan 7 Stars chili pepper needs a very sunny spot sheltered from the wind, with at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. Choose soil that retains some moisture, is rich in organic matter, and drains well.
Water regularly, allowing excess water to drain from the growing medium. Avoid standing water, which the roots do not tolerate well. During growth and fruiting, regular applications of fertilizer suitable for chili peppers may help the plants develop and produce fruit.
The peppers turn from green to red as they ripen. Allow approximately 80 to 90 days for maturation, depending on growing conditions and the stage from which you start counting.
Harvest the peppers when they reach their characteristic red color. Use them fresh or dry them to enjoy their aroma for longer.
For more information, see our chili pepper growing guide and chili pepper growing journal for all our tips on sowing successfully and getting a good harvest.
Sichuan 7 Stars is an ideal variety for gardening enthusiasts and fans of Asian cuisine. Its bushy growth, upright red peppers, and slightly citrusy aroma make it as distinctive in the garden as it is flavorful in the kitchen.
Choose these 20 Sichuan 7 Stars chili pepper seeds to grow an aromatic Chinese variety, harvest your own peppers, and make homemade dishes inspired by the flavors of Sichuan cuisine.
Characteristics
| Capacity | 20 seeds |
|---|---|
| Scoville scale | 5 000 (estimated) |
| Storage | In a dry place |
| What intensity? | 1 |
Discover the Sichuan 7 Stars chili pepper, a variety from China known for its upward-pointing peppers and delicately fruity aroma.
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Dried whole peppers, powder, fresh peppers, pepper seeds and pepper plants
Dried whole peppers, powder, fresh peppers, pepper seeds and pepper plants
Dried whole peppers, powder, fresh peppers, pepper seeds and pepper plants
Dried whole peppers, powder, fresh peppers, pepper seeds and pepper plants
Dried whole peppers, powder, fresh peppers, pepper seeds and pepper plants
FAQ of
Hot sauces
Le Pepper X, couronné piment le plus fort du monde par le livre Guinness des records. L'hybride américain Pepper X a battu le record du piment le plus fort au monde.
The Scoville scale is the unit of measurement for chili peppers. We have dedicated several articles on the Scoville scale, but we have also established a top 20 of hot sauces on the Scoville scale as well as a ranking of chili peppers on the Scoville scale to help you find your way around.
There are more than 2500 different chili peppers because varieties cross-pollinate very easily. The most commonly used varieties in sauces are: habanero pepper, chipotle pepper, jalapeno pepper, trinidad scorpion pepper, jolokia pepper, aji amarillo pepper, and of course the carolina reaper pepper.
A hot sauce is a preparation made with chili peppers and vinegar to which various other ingredients are added depending on the desired result (garlic, onion, curry, ginger, etc...) We have selected several hundred to help you find your favorite!
Absolument pas, les sauces piquantes ne contiennent que très peu de matière grasse, et pour la plupart pas du tout, il s'agit de purée de piment associée à du vinaigre (le conservateur) et des épices.
