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Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Thai Chili Pepper |
| Scientific name | Capsicum frutescens |
| Family / Genus | Solanaceae / — |
| Produce category | Nightshade |
| Produce subcategory | Pepper |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| AGROVOC URI | c_1292 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 25.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bird’s Eye Chili (Prik Kee Noo) | 40% | The most common ‘Thai Chili’ type in the US market. Small, slender, intensely hot (50,000-100,000 SHU), typically red when ripe, and grows upright. Essential for authentic Thai cuisine. |
| Thai Dragon | 25% | A popular cultivar known for its high yield and medium-hot heat (50,000-75,000 SHU). Peppers are slender, 2-3 inches long, and turn bright red. Versatile for fresh use, drying, and sauces. |
| Tabasco | 15% | Famous for Tabasco sauce, this variety produces small, conical peppers that ripen to a bright red. Moderately hot (30,000-50,000 SHU). Primarily grown for processing, but fresh peppers are available. |
| Prik Chi Fah (Thai Sky Pointing) | 10% | Larger than Bird’s Eye (3-5 inches) with milder heat (5,000-20,000 SHU). Often used for its vibrant red color and bulk in dishes rather than intense heat. Peppers point upwards on the plant. |
| Malagueta | 5% | A small, pointed chili similar to Bird’s Eye, but often slightly larger. Very hot (60,000-100,000 SHU). Highly popular in Brazilian and Portuguese cuisine, with a niche presence in the US market. |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: 45°F.
- Freezing point: 30.6°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 3 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | very_low |
| Production rate (20°C) | 0.05 µL/kg·hr typical (0–0.1) |
| Sensitivity class | low |
| Sensitivity threshold | 1 ppm |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: Keep away from ethylene-producing commodities.
Mixed-load compatibility
Generally compatible with most produce; avoid strong odor emitters or high ethylene producers.
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? No
- Light-sensitive? No
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Increasing, driven by growing interest in diverse cuisines and spicy flavors.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -0.8 |
| Income elasticity | 0.5 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -1.2 |
Pack sizes
- 10 lb cartons
- 20 lb cartons
- 0.5 lb bags/clamshells
- 1 lb bags/clamshells
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
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