Wiri Wiri

Wiri Wiri Pepper Seeds

Originating from Guyana, the Wiri Wiri pepper is part of the Capsicum frutescens species. This species is the most common of the more… uncommon species of Capsicum. Annuum, chinense, and baccatum tend to dominate domestic pepper varieties. Another popular frutescens is the Tabasco.

For fun, you can spot two frutescens traits in the product pictures on this page. Look for the small greenish-cream flowers with dark purple/blue anthers, and two fruit growing from a single growth node.

Wiri Wiri peppers resemble colorful cherries and are sometimes given the generic name “Hot Cherry Peppers.” Don’t confuse them with peppers more commonly sold under that name, such as the Cherry Bomb (an annuum) or the Sweet Cherry Pepper (also an annuum).

The fruit are small, about half an inch long, and bulb-like. The peppers grow upright on the plant. They change from green to yellow, then orange, and finally red when ripe.

Heat Level of Wiri Wiri

They are generally listed in the 100,000 to 350,000 SHU range. That puts them in roughly the same heat territory as habaneros and Scotch bonnets.

Wiri Wiri peppers have a fruity flavor with a slight tomato-like quality. There is some similarity to habaneros or Scotch bonnets, but Wiri Wiri has its own flavor. They are widely used in Guyanese cooking.

Uses of Wiri Wiri

In Guyana, these peppers are used in hot sauces, peppered rum, stews, and soups. The fruity heat works especially well with tomatoes and tropical fruits. They also show up in curries and other savory dishes.

They also works well with salty foods and soy sauce. One example is Guyanese-style chow mein. You will also find the peppers used in table sauces and pepper rum throughout Guyanese cooking.

20+ seeds per pack.