# Kung Pao Pepper

Species: Capsicum annuum.

Kung Pao Pepper is a Capsicum annuum cultivar from United States. Capsi’s sourced range is 7,000–14,000 SHU (Vendor Claim). Flavor is earthy, peppery, smoky. Used for Stir-fries, Kung Pao chicken/beef, drying into flakes or powder, Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine, hot sauces. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
About 1/2.5 the typical heat of a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU).

## Heat sources

- 7,000–12,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Kung Pao Pepper Seeds
  https://pepperjoe.com/products/kung-pao-pepper

- 7,000–14,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Kung Pao Pepper Seeds | Tyler Farms
  https://tyler-farms.com/kung-pao-pepper-seeds/

- 10,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Kung Pao Pepper Seeds
  https://pepperjoe.com/products/kung-pao-pepper

## Heritage

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

## Page sources

- [Official seed catalog with SHU, growing specs, and uses](https://pepperjoe.com/products/kung-pao-pepper)
- [Detailed heat, appearance, flavor, and culinary guide](https://pepperscale.com/kung-pao-pepper/)
- [Botanical description, dimensions, and germination info](http://tradewindsfruit.com/content/kung-pao-pepper.htm)
- [HPLC-tested SHU confirmation and USA hybrid details](https://reimerseeds.com/kung-pao-pepper-seeds)
- [Breeder/year, plant metrics, and gardener reviews](https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/64031/)

## FAQ
### How hot is Kung Pao Pepper?

Capsi’s sourced range is 7,000–14,000 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 Kung Pao Pepper taste like?

Subtle earthy and peppery with slight smoky notes; heat builds cleanly without fruitiness or bitterness, allowing other ingredients to shine.

### How do I grow Kung Pao Pepper?

Kung Pao Pepper: about 85 days to maturity, temperate to subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

### What can I substitute for Kung Pao Pepper?

Cayenne (higher heat), dried Thai bird's eye (hotter), facing heaven Sichuan chilies

Page: https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/kung-pao-pepper
Catalog: https://web.thecapsi.app/data