MediumC. annuumUnited States
Peter pepper
Penis pepper · Chilly Willy · Willy Chilly
23,000Scoville Heat Units
Heat context
Carolina Reaper
Ghost Pepper
Habanero
Peter pepper
Illustration coming soon
Botanical data
Heat (SHU)23,000
SpeciesC. annuum
OriginUnited States
Days to mature80
Plant height45–75 cm
Wall thicknessMedium
Ripe colourred
YieldModerate
Growth habitBush
Germination7-21
FoliageGreen
Unripe colourgreen
About this variety
The Peter pepper is a rare heirloom variety best known for its distinctive phallic shape, with wrinkled pods measuring 3-4 inches long. Though its exact origin is unknown, it has been traditionally grown in East Texas, Louisiana, and parts of Mexico. This adaptable pepper offers both ornamental novelty and genuine culinary value, with heat comparable to or exceeding jalapeños.
Flavour profile
brightgrassymedium heatjalapeño-like
Culinary scores
Sauce
6/10
Drying
4/10
Pickling
9/10
Culinary uses
Excellent for pickling due to its firm texture, also used fresh in salsas, hot sauces, and chili. Can substitute for jalapeños or serranos in most recipes. The unusual shape makes it a conversation piece when pickled whole.
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Quick reference
Heat23,000 SHU
SpeciesC. annuum
OriginUnited States
Days to ripe80
Ripe colourred
Best forPickling
Data confidence: 4/5. Sourced from community submissions and verified references. Suggest a correction