Dedo de Moça Pepper
Also known as Dedo-de-Moça · Dedo de Moca · Pimenta-Dedo-de-Moça · Calabresa pepper (dried) · Lady's Little Finger · Pimenta-calabresa
The Dedo de Moça pepper is a popular Brazilian variety of Capsicum baccatum, featuring slender finger-like pods with a fruity and smoky flavor.
About 3.6 times a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU typical).
Flavor & Use
Sweet and fruity with smoky undertones, developing into a peppery finish with lingering stingy heat.
Culinary
About
The Dedo de Moça, translating to 'lady's finger' in Portuguese, is an elongated chili pepper that resembles a slender finger, typically measuring 3 inches long and 0.5 inches wide. The pods hang pendant from the plant and mature from green through orange to a vibrant red. With medium-thick flesh and smooth skin, they offer a versatile texture ideal for fresh use or drying. The flavor profile begins with sweet and fruity notes accompanied by subtle smokiness, transitioning into a peppery taste that builds to a stingy, lingering heat without excessive bitterness. This makes it perfect for enhancing Brazilian dishes such as feijoada, moqueca, rice, beans, meats, salads, and sauces. When dried and ground, it becomes pimenta-calabresa, a common condiment in southern Brazil. The plants are tall and somewhat gangly, reaching up to 5 feet in height, and are known for high yields after about 90 days of growth in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. It belongs to the Capsicum baccatum species and has been cultivated traditionally in Brazil for generations.
Backstory
A traditional Brazilian cultivar named for its resemblance to a woman's finger ('dedo de moça'). It has been widely grown and used in southern and southeastern Brazil for centuries, forming a key part of the country's culinary heritage alongside other baccatum varieties.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreWe don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Dedo de Moça Pepper?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 90,000 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 Dedo de Moça Pepper taste like?
- Sweet and fruity with smoky undertones, developing into a peppery finish with lingering stingy heat.
- How do I grow Dedo de Moça Pepper?
- Dedo de Moça Pepper: about 90-99 days days to maturity, full sun sun.
- What can I substitute for Dedo de Moça Pepper?
- Malagueta pepper, Aji Amarillo, Jalapeno for milder heat