Classic Collection

six chillies, six heroes

This collection brings together six chillies that have become benchmarks in their own right. These are varieties that turn up again and again in kitchens, seed lists and growing traditions around the world — not because they are fashionable, but because they work.

Each chilli here is known for a distinctive balance of heat and flavour, and for a particular way of behaving in cooking. Some are aromatic and fruity, others darker and more forceful, but all have earned their reputations over time.

This is a collection for growers who want to understand the reference points — the chillies that everything else is measured against.

Orange Habanero: Capsicum chinense | ~150,000–250,000 SHU. Originally from the Yucatán, Orange Habanero is one of the defining chillies of the modern kitchen. Intensely fruity with a clean, tropical heat, it delivers flavour and fire in equal measure. A reliable plant that crops generously with glowing orange pods.

Scotch Bonnet: Capsicum chinense | ~100,000–350,000 SHU. A cornerstone of Caribbean cooking, Scotch Bonnet is prized for its aroma as much as its heat. The crumpled, bonnet-shaped pods ripen through green, orange and red, bringing peppery warmth and unmistakable character to sauces and stews.

Chocolate Habanero: Capsicum chinense | ~300,000–450,000 SHU. Darker, hotter and more brooding than its orange counterpart, Chocolate Habanero offers deep, smoky flavour with serious heat. Richly coloured pods and a slower-building burn make this a favourite among experienced chilli growers.

Paper Lantern: Capsicum chinense | ~350,000–500,000 SHU. Named for its distinctive lantern-shaped pods, this variety produces blood-red fruit with a glossy sheen. Quick to fruit and hotter than its elegant appearance suggests, Paper Lantern combines visual appeal with assertive heat.

Jamaican Hot: Capsicum annuum | ~80,000–120,000 SHU. Often mistaken for a Scotch Bonnet, Jamaican Hot is a more straightforward and dependable grower. Crumpled red or yellow pods deliver bold, direct heat without the fuss, making it a practical alternative with plenty of character.

Fatalii: Capsicum chinense | ~125,000–325,000 SHU. Originating in Central Africa, Fatalii is a habanero-type chilli known for its sharp, citrus-led heat. The elongated, crumpled yellow pods are striking on the plant and bring a bright, fast burn that stands apart from heavier chinense varieties.