# Charleston Hot

Also known as Charleston Hot Cayenne.
Species: Capsicum annuum.

Charleston Hot is a Capsicum annuum cultivar from Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Capsi’s sourced range is 70,000–120,000 SHU (Official breeder; typical 95,000). Flavor is neutral, peppery. Used for hot sauces, salsas, dried chili powder, flakes for seasoning, Southern cuisine dishes. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
About 3.8 times a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU typical).

## Heat sources

- 70,000–120,000 SHU · Official breeder
  Philip D. Dukes Sr. and Richard L. Fery (1997) HortScience
  DOI: 10.21273/HORTSCI.32.5.947
  https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.32.5.947

- 70,000–100,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Charleston Hot Pepper Guide
  https://pepperscale.com/charleston-hot-pepper/

## Heritage

We don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.

## Page sources

- [PepperScale guide to Charleston Hot pepper heat, flavor, and uses](https://pepperscale.com/charleston-hot-pepper/)
- [Chili Pepper Madness variety profile for Charleston Hot](https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-types/medium-hot-chili-peppers/charleston-hot-chili-peppers/)
- [Cayenne Diane list of hot peppers entry](https://www.cayennediane.com/big-list-of-hot-peppers/)
- [USDA AgResearch Magazine article on the development of Charleston Hot by Dukes and Fery](https://agresearchmag.ars.usda.gov/1995/oct/charleston/)
- [NCSU Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions - plant/fruit specs and breeder details](https://cucurbitbreeding.wordpress.ncsu.edu/2016/06/03/pepper-a-l/)

## FAQ
### How hot is Charleston Hot?

Capsi’s sourced range is 70,000–120,000 SHU (Official breeder; typical 95,000). 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 Charleston Hot taste like?

Neutral peppery taste similar to regular cayenne peppers, with the heat being the dominant characteristic.

### How do I grow Charleston Hot?

Charleston Hot: about 80 days to maturity, subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

### What can I substitute for Charleston Hot?

standard cayenne pepper

Page: https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/charleston-hot
Catalog: https://web.thecapsi.app/data