# Santaka Pepper

Also known as Tochigi Santaka, Tochigi Kairyo Santaka, Japones Santaka, Asian Hot.
Species: Capsicum annuum.

Santaka Pepper is a Capsicum annuum cultivar from Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Capsi’s sourced range is 30,000–50,000 SHU (Vendor Claim). Flavor is intense heat, rich aroma, simple spiciness. Used for stir-fries, sauces and salsas, dried powder for shichimi, Thai curries and peanut sauces, Japanese dishes like ramen, gyoza, and fried chicken. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.

## Heat sources

- 40,000–50,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Santaka Chile Pepper Seeds – Botanical Interests
  https://www.botanicalinterests.com/products/santaka-chile-pepper-seeds

- 40,000–50,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Santaka Pepper – Thresh Seed Co.
  https://www.threshseed.com/products/santaka-pepper

- 30,000–50,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Santaka Pepper Seeds | Tyler Farms
  https://tyler-farms.com/santaka-pepper-seeds/

## Heritage

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

## Page sources

- [Chili Pepper Madness entry on Santaka chili peppers](https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-types/medium-hot-chili-peppers/santaka-chili-peppers/)
- [Shun Gate article on Tochigi Santaka history and cultivation](https://shun-gate.com/en/roots/roots_140/)
- [Tradewinds Fruit detailed profile of Santaka Pepper](https://www.tradewindsfruit.com/content/santaka-pepper.html)
- [Botanical Interests seed catalog for Santaka](https://www.botanicalinterests.com/products/santaka-chile-pepper-seeds)
- [Reimer Seeds detailed variety description, plant and pod specs](https://www.reimerseeds.com/santaka-pepper-seeds)
- [Chile Pepper Institute (NMSU) listing for Santaka — released 1955, high-yield Japanese variety](https://chilepepperinstitute.ecwid.com/Santaka-p616749836)

## FAQ
### How hot is Santaka Pepper?

Capsi’s sourced range is 30,000–50,000 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 Santaka Pepper taste like?

Delivers an intense, straightforward heat with a rich aroma and minimal flavor complexity beyond the spice, allowing it to enhance dishes without dominating other flavors.

### How do I grow Santaka Pepper?

Santaka Pepper: about 75 days to maturity, warm temperate/subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

### What can I substitute for Santaka Pepper?

cayenne pepper, Japones pepper, chile de arbol

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