Black Karen
Also known as Black Karen (Mix)
Black Karen is a Capsicum chinense superhot with dark purple foliage and pods that ripen dark red with purple splotches. It is the red selection from the Black Bastard line.
About 24 times a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU typical).
Flavor & Use
Earthy with sweet and fruity notes.
earthysweetfruity
Culinary
Hot saucesdryingand bold seasoning where extreme heat and dark color are wanted.
About
Pods form on dark-foliaged plants and begin deep purple. They ripen to dark red with purple splotches. Plants are productive. Flavor runs earthy-sweet and fruity under the heat, typical of chinense superhots.
Backstory
Black Karen is the red-ripening selection from the Black Bastard line developed by Bryan Townshend of Towns-End Chili & Spice. It appeared among phenos while selecting from 7JPN material around 2023.
Appearance
ShapeWrinkled lantern to elongated
ColorDark purple · Dark red
WallMedium
SkinWrinkled
Growing
SunFull
WaterModerate
ClimateTropical
Days to maturity100 days
Plant height90–150 cm
Soil pH6–6.8
Germination7–21 days
Spacing60 cm
HardinessZones 9-11
Heritage
ExploreParents
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Black Karen?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 600,000 SHU (Official breeder). Capsi uses a sourced range and a trust tier, not a single marketing number. How we verify heat: https://web.thecapsi.app/learn/heat-and-capsaicin/how-we-measure-heat
- What does Black Karen taste like?
- Earthy with sweet and fruity notes.
- How do I grow Black Karen?
- Black Karen: about 100 days to maturity, tropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Black Karen?
- Capsi does not have that recorded yet.