# Chile Yahualica

Also known as chile de Yahualica, chile de árbol Yahualica, chile de árbol tipo Yahualica, alfilerillo, cola de ratón, sanjuanero, cuauhchilli, cuachilli.
Species: Capsicum annuum.

Chile Yahualica is a Capsicum annuum landrace from Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico. Capsi’s sourced range is 35,724–58,192 SHU (Lab-verified). Flavor is smoky, dried fruit, malty. Used for Salsa macha, birria, pozole, tortas ahogadas, menudo. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.

## Heat sources

- 35,724 SHU · Lab-verified
  García-Moreira, D.P.; Pacheco, N.; Hernández-Guzmán, H.; Bahammou, Y.; Tagnamas, Z.; Moreno, I.; López-Vidaña, E.C. (2024) Processes · HPLC
  DOI: 10.3390/pr12091969
  https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12091969

- 58,192 SHU · Lab-verified
  García-Moreira, D.P.; Pacheco, N.; Hernández-Guzmán, H.; Bahammou, Y.; Tagnamas, Z.; Moreno, I.; López-Vidaña, E.C. (2024) Processes · HPLC
  DOI: 10.3390/pr12091969
  https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12091969

- 20,000–38,000 SHU · Official breeder
  Secretaría de Economía (2021) Diario Oficial de la Federación · HPLC
  https://dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5614692&fecha=29/03/2021

## Heritage

Landrace

Chile Yahualica is a traditional landrace.

Mexican DO and NOM texts describe local Capsicum annuum cultivars with no named parents and no genes from other species. SNICS Altos is this landrace’s registered name, not a parent line.

## Page sources

- [Secretaría de Economía notice of the 16 March 2018 Denominación de Origen Yahualica](https://www.gob.mx/se/articulos/declaracion-de-proteccion-de-la-denominacion-de-origen-del-chile-de-yahualica?idiom=es)
- [SADER feature on origin, soils, artisanal production, and kitchen use](https://www.gob.mx/agricultura/articulos/chile-yahualica-puro-sabor-y-tradicion)
- [NOM-239-SE-2020 draft text with fruit specs, HPLC method, and production stages](https://dof.gob.mx/normasOficiales/8263/seeco11_C/seeco11_C.html)
- [García-Moreira et al. 2024 HPLC capsaicinoid measurements on Yahualica fruit](https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/12/9/1969)
- [CIATEJ book: history, plant description, cultivation, and denomination dossier](https://ciatej.mx/files/divulgacion/divulgacion_609c16d900356.pdf)
- [CIATEJ note on publication of NOM-239-SE-2020](https://ciatej.mx/el-ciatej/comunicacion/Noticias/Norma-Oficial-Mexicana-para-chile-Yahualica/203)
- [Culinary profile: size, peduncle, kitchen uses, regional names](https://jaliscocina.com/chile-yahualica-jalisciense-de-hueso-colorado)

## FAQ
### How hot is Chile Yahualica?

Capsi’s sourced range is 35,724–58,192 SHU (Lab-verified). 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 Chile Yahualica taste like?

Smoky dried plum and fig with a malty, even heat that cooks in Jalisco describe as tasty rather than punishing.

### How do I grow Chile Yahualica?

Chile Yahualica: about 110 days to maturity, semi-arid highland climate, full sun.

### What can I substitute for Chile Yahualica?

Chile de Árbol

Page: https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/chile-yahualica
Catalog: https://web.thecapsi.app/data