Biquinho Pepper

Sweet-tangy with bright citrus and light tropical fruit notes, followed by a gentle smoky finish and very mild warmth that pops due to the thin skin.

Biquinho peppers, also called Little Beak peppers, originate from the Minas Gerais region of Brazil where they grow wild and are cultivated in home gardens. These small, glossy, teardrop-shaped pods measure about 1 inch long with a pointed tip resembling a bird's beak, hence the Portuguese name biquinho. They ripen from green to vibrant red or yellow and feature thin, crisp skin and juicy flesh with a mild heat level of 500-1,000 Scoville heat units. The flavor is distinctly fruity and citrusy with subtle smoky notes reminiscent of a habanero but far gentler, making them enjoyable fresh or as a crunchy snack. In Brazil they are traditionally pickled in vinegar, garlic, herbs, and cachaça and served in botecos as a colorful appetizer alongside meats or fish. They add bright flavor and pop of color when chopped into salsas, salads, pizzas, pastas, or marinades. The plants are compact, reaching 2-3 feet tall, highly productive, and well-suited to containers or ornamental use. Nutritionally they provide vitamins A and C along with antioxidants and fiber.

Native to Brazil and first cultivated in Minas Gerais, these heirloom peppers have long been a backyard favorite and bar snack. Their mild chinense genetics make them an outlier in a species known for extreme heat.