Pockmark Orange
A striking Australian Capsicum chinense with thin-walled pods that ripen from black-purple to pockmarked orange resembling molten lava, with fruity-earthy flavor.
About 56 times a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU typical).
Growing
~100 days to maturity
Fruit size
3.5–5 cm
Flavor & Use
Fruity with peach, citrus, and mild earthy undertones, plus floral notes from the Ghost parentage; initial sweetness gives way to intense heat.
Culinary
About
The Pockmark Orange produces gnarly, warty pods measuring roughly 3.5–5 cm long that begin dark green or nearly black, shift through purple tones, and mature to bright orange with purple blushes, giving a molten-lava appearance. Thin-walled and highly productive on dark-foliaged plants 60–90 cm tall, it delivers a fruity flavor with earthy, citrus, and peach notes. Excellent for ornamental value as well as culinary use in sauces and powders. The cross can still show some instability.
Backstory
Bred in Australia by Jason Richards and named by Alice Lennard for the distinctive pitted, pockmarked surface of the fruit. It has become popular among collectors for its dramatic color changes and ornamental dark foliage.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreParents
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Pockmark Orange?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 800,000–2,000,000 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 Pockmark Orange taste like?
- Fruity with peach, citrus, and mild earthy undertones, plus floral notes from the Ghost parentage; initial sweetness gives way to intense heat.
- How do I grow Pockmark Orange?
- Pockmark Orange: about 100 days to maturity, subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Pockmark Orange?
- Capsi does not have that recorded yet.