Dried whole peppers, powder, fresh peppers, pepper seeds and pepper plants
Discover the Hengdong chili pepper, an unusual and particularly ornamental Chinese variety also nicknamed the “yellow pepper.” Belonging to the species Capsicum annuum, it stands out for its elongated fruits, which gradually turn from green to yellow-orange as they ripen. With an estimated heat level of 50,000 to 80,000 Scoville heat units, it packs a pronounced punch that will appeal to lovers of intense heat.
In the kitchen, the Hengdong chili pepper is especially prized for its beautiful yellow color, perfect for making homemade yellow hot sauces that are as distinctive as they are flavorful. Its fruits are usually eaten dried but can also be used fresh to spice up a wide range of dishes. Toasting them briefly in a dry skillet for a few seconds releases the oils in the pepper, intensifying its aroma and heat.
Fruit characteristics and flavor
The Hengdong chili pepper produces numerous elongated fruits approximately 8 cm long and 2 cm wide. They grow on a bushy plant that can reach approximately 80 cm in height.
- Color: green, turning yellow-orange when ripe.
- Shape: elongated fruits.
- Dimensions: approximately 2 x 8 cm.
- Flavor: ideal for hot sauces and spicy dishes.
- Uses: fresh, dried, powdered or in sauces.
Tasting notes and culinary uses
Hengdong is an excellent choice for hot pepper lovers who want to add an original touch to their recipes. Its striking yellow-orange color makes for colorful, especially appetizing dishes.
Traditionally used dried, it can be ground into powder to season dishes, added to marinades or made into chili oil. It is also perfect for making homemade yellow hot sauces, to which it adds plenty of heat.
Our tip: to get the most out of these peppers, heat them for a few seconds in a dry skillet before using them. This releases their oils and makes their heat more pronounced.
Growing Hengdong chili peppers: sowing and care tips
Gardeners with a sunny spot can grow Hengdong chili peppers. Like most Capsicum annuum varieties, they thrive in warmth and need favorable germination conditions to develop properly.
Sowing the seeds:
- Sowing period: February to April.
- Ideal germination temperature: 22 to 28 °C.
- Germination time: approximately 6 to 20 days.
- Ideally, use a mini greenhouse and a heat mat to maintain a consistent temperature.
- Keep the potting mix slightly moist, but avoid overwatering.
Planting and care:
Once the seedlings are sufficiently developed, transplant them individually into suitable pots. Hengdong chili peppers thrive in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil that stays moist. Never allow water to pool around the roots.
Place your plants in a warm, sunny spot sheltered from the wind. They need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day for healthy growth and a generous fruit yield.
Regular applications of organic fertilizer formulated for peppers, ideally diluted in the watering can once a week, will encourage their growth.
Plant outdoors only once the risk of frost has passed, ideally 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost.
Flowering and harvest:
The Hengdong chili pepper produces attractive white flowers between May and August. After flowering, the fruits develop and gradually turn from green to yellow-orange. Allow approximately 80 to 90 days for the peppers to ripen.
To learn more, consult our chili pepper growing guide and growing journal, which will guide you through every stage, from sowing to harvest.
Hengdong chili pepper characteristics
- Variety: Hengdong
- Origin: China
- Species: Capsicum annuum
- Type: Hot pepper
- Heat level: 9/10
- Scoville heat rating: 50,000 to 80,000 SHU
- Color when ripe: yellow-orange
- Fruit shape: elongated
- Dimensions: approximately 2 x 8 cm
- Plant height: approximately 80 cm
- Growth habit: bushy
- Flowers: white
- Flowering: May to August
- Sowing: February to April
- Germination temperature: 25 to 28 °C
- Germination time: 6 to 20 days
- Time to maturity: 80 to 90 days
Why choose Hengdong chili pepper seeds?
- An unusual Chinese variety: a chili pepper with a history linked to 18th-century imperial China.
- A beautiful yellow color: ideal for making distinctive, colorful yellow hot sauces.
- Pronounced heat: 50,000 to 80,000 SHU, for lovers of intense heat.
- An ornamental crop: elongated fruits that turn from green to yellow-orange on a bushy plant.
- Many culinary uses: fresh, dried, powdered, in chili oil or in homemade sauce.
With this packet of 20 Hengdong chili pepper seeds, grow an unusual Chinese variety and harvest your own yellow peppers to make homemade sauces and spice up your favorite recipes.
Characteristics
| Capacity | 20 seeds |
|---|---|
| Scoville scale | 70000 (estimated) |
| Storage | In a dry place |
| What intensity? | 3 |
20 Hengdong chili pepper seeds - Chinese chili pepper
According to the tradition associated with this variety, Hengdong may have been grown in China as early as the 18th century in honor of the ruler and reserved for the imperial court. This story adds to the charm of this uncommon Asian chili pepper