# MOA Scotch Bonnet

Also known as MoA Scotch Bonnet, M.O.A. Scotch Bonnet, Ministry of Agriculture Scotch Bonnet, MOA Jamaican Scotch Bonnet, Jamaican MOA Scotch Bonnet.
Species: Capsicum chinense.

MOA Scotch Bonnet is a Capsicum chinense selection from Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica. Capsi’s sourced range is 100,000–350,000 SHU (Official breeder). Flavor is fruity, sweet, tropical. Used for jerk seasoning, escovitch, pepper sauce, soups and stews, rice and peas. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
About 7.1 times a Capsi Jalapeño (31,902 SHU typical).

## Heat sources

- 100,000–350,000 SHU · Official breeder
  Agro-Investment Corporation of Jamaica (2018) Agro-Investment Corporation
  https://www.agroinvest.gov.jm/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Hot-Pepper-Investment-Profile-2018.pdf

- 250,000–350,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  (2026) Bohica Pepper Hut
  https://bohicapepperhut.com/products/moa-scotch-bonnet-seeds

- 100,000–349,999 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Garden Hoard / Renegade Acres
  https://www.gardenhoard.com/hot-pepper-scotch-bonnet-moa-yellow-seeds-certified-organic.html

- 250,000–300,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Michigan Heirlooms
  https://www.michiganheirlooms.com/product-page/jamaican-scotch-bonnet

- 250,000–350,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Rebec Valley Farm
  https://rebecvalleyfarm.com/product/moa-orange-scotch-bonnet-pepper/

- 150,000–325,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  pepperseeds.eu
  https://pepperseeds.eu/scotch-bonnet-yellow-moa/

## Heritage

Selection

MOA Scotch Bonnet is a selection of Scotch Bonnet.

Credit: Jamaica Ministry of Agriculture, Bodles Research Station

Parent:
- [Scotch Bonnet](https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/scotch-bonnet)

Peppers bred from MOA Scotch Bonnet:
- [KS Misery Sweet](https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/ks-misery-sweet)

Bodles Research Station selected the commercial 3-to-4-lobed Jamaican Scotch Bonnet for export grade. Steve Queen brought that stock into the US seed trade in 2013. No source names a second parent for the yellow-orange line.

## Page sources

- [FAO and Jamaica Ministry of Agriculture handbook on growing commercial Scotch Bonnet, with Grade A shape and spacing.](https://www.fao.org/4/AD109E/AD109E00.pdf)
- [McGlashan and McKenzie 2004 descriptor for Jamaican Scotch Bonnet from Ministry trials.](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb88ab5aadd347e10f9c704/t/5bd5ac740852291fdf57a55b/1540729994813/CFCS_2004_Vol.%2B40%2BSt.%2BJohn%252C%2BUSVILR.pdf)
- [Jamaica investment profile with commercial Scotch Bonnet heat band and export grades.](https://www.agroinvest.gov.jm/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Hot-Pepper-Investment-Profile-2018.pdf)
- [JIS report that Bodles produces certified virus-free Scotch Bonnet seed.](https://jis.gov.jm/crop-research-enhancing-agricultural-production-2/)
- [Notes the Jamaican Ministry of Agriculture strain marketed as MoA.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_bonnet)
- [Refining Fire catalog: Ministry-recognized commercial type, green to yellow-orange, tall plants.](https://www.superhotchiles.com/product/moa-scotch-bonnet-pepper-seeds/)
- [Vendor listing tracing the line to Steve Queen and Jamaican government recognition.](https://bohicapepperhut.com/products/moa-scotch-bonnet-seeds)
- [MoA seed grown in Jamaica, yellow ripe color, thick walls, culinary notes.](https://www.michiganheirlooms.com/product-page/jamaican-scotch-bonnet)

## FAQ
### How hot is MOA Scotch Bonnet?

Capsi’s sourced range is 100,000–350,000 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 MOA Scotch Bonnet taste like?

Sweet tropical fruit with pineapple and apricot up front and a clean chinense finish. The burn comes on quickly and does not linger like a superhot.

### How do I grow MOA Scotch Bonnet?

MOA Scotch Bonnet: about 90 days to maturity, tropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

### What can I substitute for MOA Scotch Bonnet?

Scotch Bonnet, Orange Habanero, Foodarama Yellow Scotch Bonnet

Page: https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/moa-scotch-bonnet
Catalog: https://web.thecapsi.app/data