# Chocolate Habanero

Also known as Black Habanero, Habanero Negro, Congo Black, Dark Habanero, Jamaican Chocolate.
Species: Capsicum chinense.

Chocolate Habanero is a Capsicum chinense landrace from Caribbean, Jamaica. Capsi’s sourced range is 301,065 SHU (Official breeder). Flavor is sweet, fruity, earthy, smoky. Used for salsas, hot sauces, Jamaican jerk sauce, mole sauces, chili rubs. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
About 12 times a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU typical).

## Heat sources

- 301,065 SHU · Official breeder
  Dave DeWitt (2015) Fiery Foods & Barbecue Central · HPLC
  https://www.fieryfoodscentral.com/2015/07/24/askdave-121/

- 299,667 SHU · Vendor Claim
  (2026) · HPLC
  https://spicequestlabs.com/blogs/field-guide/chocolate-habanero-pepper

- 425,000–575,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Holmes Seed Company – Chocolate Habanero Pepper Seeds
  https://www.holmesseed.com/chocolate-habanero/

- 300,000–450,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Pepper Joe – Chocolate Habanero Pepper Seeds
  https://pepperjoe.com/products/chocolate-habanero

- 300,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds – Chocolate Habanero Hot Pepper Seeds
  https://www.rareseeds.com/hot-pepper-seeds-chocolate-habanero

## Heritage

Landrace

Chocolate Habanero is a traditional landrace.

Catalogs consistently treat Chocolate Habanero as a Caribbean open-pollinated heirloom or traditional type of habanero from Jamaica or Trinidad. None name parents or a modern cross.

## Page sources

- [Dave DeWitt / Fiery Foods confirmation of 2001 Chile Pepper Institute HPLC result](https://www.fieryfoodscentral.com/2015/07/24/askdave-121/)
- [Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Chocolate Habanero description and growing notes](https://www.rareseeds.com/hot-pepper-seeds-chocolate-habanero)
- [Holmes Seed Company open-pollinated heirloom listing](https://www.holmesseed.com/chocolate-habanero/)
- [Pepper Joe Chocolate Habanero appearance, heat, and growing information](https://pepperjoe.com/products/chocolate-habanero)
- [SpiceQuest Labs HPLC measurement on dried flakes](https://spicequestlabs.com/blogs/field-guide/chocolate-habanero-pepper)

## FAQ
### How hot is Chocolate Habanero?

Capsi’s sourced range is 301,065 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 Chocolate Habanero taste like?

Sweet and fruity base with prominent earthy and smoky undertones.

### How do I grow Chocolate Habanero?

Chocolate Habanero: about 100 days to maturity, tropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

### What can I substitute for Chocolate Habanero?

orange habanero (with reduced smokiness and lower heat), Scotch bonnet (similar heat but different shape and flavor)

Page: https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/chocolate-habanero
Catalog: https://web.thecapsi.app/data