How hot is Er Jing Tiao?

Capsi’s sourced range is 7,749 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

How do I grow Er Jing Tiao?

Er Jing Tiao: about 90 days to maturity, subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

What can I substitute for Er Jing Tiao?

Capsi does not have that recorded yet.

Er Jing Tiao (Erjingtiao)

Also known as Erjingtiao · 二荆条 · Èr jīngtiáo · Two Vitex · Jingtiaozi · Sea Chili

Sichuan’s signature mild-to-moderate Capsicum annuum chili with slender J-shaped pods, prized for deep red color, robust fruity-aromatic fragrance, and indispensable role in doubanjiang and chili oil.

About 1/3.2 the typical heat of a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU).

Growing

~90 days to maturity

Fruit size

11–25 cm

Flavor & Use

Fruity and aromatic with a robust fragrance, earthy and slightly sweet-smoky notes, and a slow-building mild heat; valued more for color and aroma than intense pungency.

fruityaromaticearthysweet

Culinary

Essential for authentic Pixian doubanjiang (broad-bean chili paste)Sichuan chili oilmapo tofustir-fries and braisesfermented chopped chili (duo jiao)Used both fresh (green or red) as a vegetable and dried for deep color, fragrance and moderate heat

About

Er Jing Tiao (二荆条) is a Capsicum annuum landrace from Sichuan, China, with slender, J-curved pods that ripen from green to deep red. Pods typically measure 12–20 cm long and about 1–1.8 cm wide, with thin walls and a wrinkled or glossy skin when dried. Plants reach 90–145 cm and are highly productive. The variety is famous for its intense pigment and complex fragrance rather than extreme heat, making it the foundational chili for authentic Sichuan chili oil, Pixian doubanjiang, mapo tofu, and fermented duo jiao. It is used both fresh (as a vegetable or in stir-fries) and dried.

Backstory

Chili peppers reached China in the late Ming Dynasty (16th century). Er Jing Tiao, named for its resemblance to Vitex twigs (荆条), evolved as a Sichuan landrace and became central to the region’s cuisine by the Qing Dynasty. It is prized as the “soul of Sichuan cuisine” for fragrance and deep-red coloring power in Pixian doubanjiang and chili oil; Shuangliu and Xichong varieties received national geographical-indication protection in 2009–2010.

Appearance

ShapeJ-shaped elongated

ColorGreen · Red

Size11–25 cm

WallThin

SkinWrinkled

Growing

SunFull

WaterModerate

ClimateSubtropical

Days to maturity90 days

Plant height98–142 cm

Soil pH6.1–6.8

Germination5–14 days

Spacing50 cm

HardinessZones 9-11

Heritage

Explore

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

Sources

FAQ

How hot is Er Jing Tiao?: Capsi’s sourced range is 7,749 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 Er Jing Tiao taste like?: Fruity and aromatic with a robust fragrance, earthy and slightly sweet-smoky notes, and a slow-building mild heat; valued more for color and aroma than intense pungency.
How do I grow Er Jing Tiao?: Er Jing Tiao: about 90 days to maturity, subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
What can I substitute for Er Jing Tiao?: Capsi does not have that recorded yet.