Matay Pepper
The Matay Pepper is a rare mild Capsicum annuum variety from Egypt producing elongated red pods with sweet flavor and subtle heat of 1,000-2,000 SHU. Highly productive and easy to grow, it offers versatile culinary uses and an exotic profile similar to some Turkish peppers.
About 1/24 the typical heat of a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU).
Growing
~80 days to maturity
Fruit size
10–15 cm
Flavor & Use
Sweet with a subtle touch of heat and rich, versatile flavor.
Culinary
About
The Matay Pepper is an heirloom Capsicum annuum cultivar from Egypt known for its elongated pods that ripen from green to vibrant red. These larger fruits, reaching up to six inches or more in length, feature medium to thick walls with a crunchy, shiny skin. The flavor is sweet with a touch of heat, providing a big, exotic taste profile similar to certain Turkish peppers, making it far from ordinary. With a Scoville range of 1,000 to 2,000+ SHU, it offers mild warmth ideal for those seeking flavor over intense spice. Plants are productive, growing 20-33 inches tall, and are easy to cultivate even in northern climates or containers, often requiring staking due to the weight of the abundant fruit. It can be harvested mid to late season after 67-100 days and may overwinter in pots as a perennial. Culinary uses include fresh slicing for salads, stuffing, preparing salsas, adding to stir-fries, or drying for preservation. This versatile pepper bridges the gap between sweet and hot varieties and is a must for collectors.
Backstory
The Matay Pepper is a rare heirloom cultivar from Egypt, prized by collectors for its mild heat, sweet flavor, and high yields. It shares similarities with Turkish pepper varieties and has been popularized through specialty seed suppliers in recent years.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreWe don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Matay Pepper?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 100–2,000 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 Matay Pepper taste like?
- Sweet with a subtle touch of heat and rich, versatile flavor.
- How do I grow Matay Pepper?
- Matay Pepper: about 80 days to maturity, warm temperate to subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9b-11.
- What can I substitute for Matay Pepper?
- Cubanelle, Corno di Toro, Italian Long Hot, Banana Pepper