Kori Sitakame Pepper
A rare Mexican landrace chile from the Tarahumara highlands, Kori Sitakame offers smooth-skinned triangular pods with thin flesh, a unique pear-like flavor, and medium jalapeño-like heat. Grown at high elevation by indigenous farmers, it is valued for drying and roasting.
About 1/5.9 the typical heat of a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU).
Growing
~70 days to maturity
Fruit size
7–10 cm
Flavor & Use
Features a distinctive pear-like flavor alongside medium heat that arrives quickly and builds.
Culinary
About
Kori Sitakame (Capsicum annuum) originates from Norogachi, a traditional Rarámuri pueblo situated over 7,500 feet (2,300 m) above sea level in the Sierra Tarahumara range of Chihuahua, Mexico. This landrace produces pendant, triangular to elongated pods averaging 3 to 4 inches long and under 1 inch wide that ripen from green to glossy red with smooth skin and thin walls. The flavor is notably pear-like or fruity, complemented by medium heat similar to a typical jalapeño that builds steadily. Plants are vigorous, often exceeding 3-4 feet in height, heat-tolerant, and productive, though they benefit from staking or caging due to heavy fruit loads. Traditionally grown in the high desert highlands, it represents an important part of local agricultural heritage preserved through seed saving by indigenous communities.
Backstory
Kori Sitakame is a traditional landrace variety maintained for generations by the Rarámuri (Tarahumara) indigenous people in the remote pueblo of Norogachi high in the Tarahumara mountains of Chihuahua, Mexico. The name is reported to mean 'red chile' in the local language, underscoring its cultural significance as a staple landrace chile.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreWe don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Kori Sitakame Pepper?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 500–8,000 SHU (Vendor Claim). 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 Kori Sitakame Pepper taste like?
- Features a distinctive pear-like flavor alongside medium heat that arrives quickly and builds.
- How do I grow Kori Sitakame Pepper?
- Kori Sitakame Pepper: about 70 days to maturity, high desert highland climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Kori Sitakame Pepper?
- Capsi does not have that recorded yet.