Dundicut Pepper

Also known as Dundicut chili · gol lal mirch

The Dundicut pepper is a small, round chili from Pakistan's Sindh region, often called the national chili of Pakistan. It delivers hot heat (30,000-65,000 Scoville units) with fruity, complex flavor notes and is typically used dried in curries and sauces. Its berry-like shape and dark red color make it distinctive in Pakistani and Indian cuisine.

Growing

~80 days to maturity

Fruit size

1.3–2.5 cm

Flavor & Use

Lightly fruity aroma and taste with sun-burnt bitterness and full-bodied complexity; reminiscent of Scotch Bonnet but milder in heat.

fruitycomplexbitter

Culinary

currieschutneyssaucesmarinadesspice mixeshot sauces

About

Dundicut peppers are small, round to teardrop-shaped chilies measuring approximately ½ to 1 inch in diameter. They mature from green to a deep, dark red and develop a wrinkled, raisin-like texture when dried. Native primarily to the Sindh province of Pakistan, with cultivation also noted in parts of India and Nepal, this Capsicum annuum cultivar is a staple in South Asian cooking. Its flavor profile includes lightly fruity aromas, a sun-burnt bitterness, and full-bodied complexity, often compared to Scotch Bonnet peppers but with noticeably less heat. Dundicuts are most commonly sold and used dried, where just a couple crushed peppers can flavor an entire dish. They excel in curries, chutneys, hot sauces, spice blends, and marinades for meats and seafood. The pepper is frost-sensitive and thrives in warm climates, making it a popular choice for home gardeners in suitable regions. It is also occasionally found in commercial bird seed mixes due to its appeal to parrots.

Backstory

Originating in Pakistan's Sindh region (particularly Tharparkar), the Dundicut is widely regarded as the national pepper of Pakistan. It features prominently in local cuisine and has also been incorporated into commercial parrot food mixes for its appeal to birds.

Appearance

ShapeRound to teardrop
ColorGreen · Dark red
Size1.3–2.5 cm
WallThin
SkinWrinkled

Growing

SunFull
WaterModerate
ClimateWarm subtropical
Days to maturity80 days
Plant height60–90 cm
Soil pH6–7
Germination10–18 days
Spacing50 cm
HardinessZones 9-11

Heritage

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

Sources