# Espelette

Also known as Piment d’Espelette, Espelette Pepper, Ezpeleta.
Species: Capsicum annuum.

Espelette is a Capsicum annuum cultivar from Basque Country, France. Capsi’s sourced range is 1,500–2,500 SHU (Official breeder). Flavor is fruity, sweet, smoky, mild heat, floral. Used for basque cuisine, piperade, axoa, chorizo seasoning, dried flakes. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
About 1/13 the typical heat of a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU).

## Heat sources

- 1,500–2,500 SHU · Official breeder
  Piment d’Espelette AOP official website
  https://www.pimentdespelette.com/en-cuisine/

- 500–4,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Specialty Produce - Dried Espelette Chile Peppers
  https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Dried_Espelette_Chile_Peppers_10036.php

- 500–4,000 SHU · Unverified
  PepperScale - Espelette Pepper
  https://pepperscale.com/espelette-pepper/

## Heritage

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

## Page sources

- [https://pepperscale.com/espelette-pepper/](https://pepperscale.com/espelette-pepper/)
- [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espelette_pepper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espelette_pepper)
- [Official Espelette Pepper Syndicate (PDO) site with cultivation and variety specs](https://www.pimentdespelette.com/espelette-pepper/?lang=en)
- [https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Espelette_Chile_Peppers_11217.php](https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Espelette_Chile_Peppers_11217.php)
- [https://www.espelette-tourism.com/en/piment-despelette/](https://www.espelette-tourism.com/en/piment-despelette/)
- [https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-types/sweet-mild-chili-peppers/espelette-peppers/](https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-types/sweet-mild-chili-peppers/espelette-peppers/)

## FAQ
### How hot is Espelette?

Capsi’s sourced range is 1,500–2,500 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 Espelette taste like?

Delicate, fruity, and slightly sweet with a gentle warmth and subtle floral notes. When dried it develops a mild smoky character that enhances rather than overwhelms dishes.

### How do I grow Espelette?

Espelette: about 100 days to maturity, temperate humid / mild subtropical microclimate climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

### What can I substitute for Espelette?

cayenne (milder), paprika

Page: https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/espelette
Catalog: https://web.thecapsi.app/data