# California Reaper

Also known as Cali Reaper, Peach California Reaper, California Reaper Peach, Peach Reaper, Carolina Reaper x Jay's Peach Ghost Scorpion, Carolina Reaper x JPGS.
Species: Capsicum chinense.

California Reaper is a Capsicum chinense stabilized from Southern California, United States. Capsi’s sourced range is 700,000–2,000,000 SHU (Vendor Claim). Flavor is fruity, sweet, citrus, peach. Used for hot sauce, salsa, chili powder, dry rubs, jerk sauces. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
About 60 times a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU typical).

## Heat sources

- 931,664 SHU · Vendor Claim
  (2025) SpiceQuest
  https://spicequestlabs.com/products/peach-reaper-new-release

- 700,000–1,500,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  HRSeeds
  https://www.hrseeds.com/product-page/california-reaper-pepper

- 1,200,000–1,500,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Harmony Peppers / Harmony Springs Farm
  https://www.harmonypeppers.com/product-page/california-reaper

- 1,000,000–1,500,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Bohica Pepper Hut
  https://bohicapepperhut.com/products/peach-reaper-california-reaper-seeds

- 1,500,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Pepper Joe's
  https://pepperjoe.com/products/peach-reaper

- 1,569,300 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Reimer Seeds
  https://www.reimerseeds.com/california-reaper-peach-pepper-seeds

- 1,500,000–2,000,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  (2025) Scoville Republic
  https://scovillerepublic.com/product/california-reaper-chilli-seeds/

## Heritage

Stabilized

California Reaper is a stabilized line from Carolina Reaper and Jay's Peach Ghost Scorpion.

Credit: Steve Bender

Parents:
- [Carolina Reaper](https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/carolina-reaper)
- [Jay's Peach Ghost Scorpion](https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/jays-peach-ghost-scorpion)

Tyler Farms credits Steve Bender with a Carolina Reaper × Jay’s Peach Ghost Scorpion cross, selected over several seasons until stable. Reimer Seeds independently lists the same parents and breeder; no official F-generation or lab heat test is published.

## Page sources

- [Originator seed listing: Bender cross, peach ripe color, heat not officially tested](https://www.tyler-farms.com/california-reaper-pepper-seeds/)
- [Innovation Acre program page crediting Steve Bender and the Carolina Reaper × Jay’s Peach Ghost Scorpion parentage](https://www.tyler-farms.com/innovation-acre/)
- [Tyler Farms headquarters in Southern California; isolation-grown seed](https://www.tyler-farms.com/about-us/)
- [Catalog range 700,000–1,500,000 SHU, peach skin, 2.5 in pods, 82–100+ days](https://www.hrseeds.com/product-page/california-reaper-pepper)
- [Grower article separating California Reaper from Carolina Reaper; peach color, flavor, and untested heat](https://www.harmonypeppers.com/post/california-reaper-a-unique-reaper-with-its-own-identity-and-a-burn-that-earns-the-name)
- [Commercial fresh-pod listing with estimated 1,200,000–1,500,000+ SHU and citrus-forward burn](https://www.harmonypeppers.com/product-page/california-reaper)
- [Open-pollinated catalog entry crediting Steve Bender; green-to-peach pods, 110+ days](https://www.reimerseeds.com/california-reaper-peach-pepper-seeds)
- [Catalog listing: Carolina Reaper × Jay’s Peach Ghost Scorpion, peachy-orange wrinkled tailed pods, heat untested, open-pollinated](https://www.tradewindsfruit.com/capsicum-chinense-california-reaper-pepper-seeds)

## FAQ
### How hot is California Reaper?

Capsi’s sourced range is 700,000–2,000,000 SHU (Vendor Claim). 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 California Reaper taste like?

Fruity and sweet up front, with citrus and peach notes and less heavy floral perfume than a red Carolina Reaper; the burn arrives quickly and finishes cleaner than the parent Reaper.

### How do I grow California Reaper?

California Reaper: about 110 days to maturity, subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

### What can I substitute for California Reaper?

Carolina Reaper, Jay's Peach Ghost Scorpion, Ghost Pepper

Page: https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/california-reaper
Catalog: https://web.thecapsi.app/data