# Scotch Bonnet

Also known as Bonney Pepper, Jamaican Hot, Scotch Bonnet Pepper.
Species: Capsicum chinense.

Scotch Bonnet is a Capsicum chinense cultivar from Caribbean, Jamaica. Capsi’s sourced range is 142,931–300,000 SHU (Lab-verified). Flavor is tropical-fruit, citrusy, floral, sweet, intense. Used for jerk seasoning, curries, hot sauces, marinades, stews. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
About 4.5 times a Capsi Jalapeño (31,902 SHU typical).

## Heat sources

- 250,000–300,000 SHU · Lab-verified
  Yunbao Liu, Muraleedharan G. Nair (2010) Natural Product Communications 5(1):91-94 · HPLC
  DOI: 10.1177/1934578X1000500122
  https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X1000500122

- 142,931 SHU · Lab-verified
  Arthur Gahungu, Eric Ruganintwali, Eric Karangwa, Xiaoming Zhang, Daniel Mukunzi (2011) Advance Journal of Food Science and Technology 3(3):211-218 · HPLC
  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221675839_Volatile_Compounds_and_Capsaicinoid_Content_of_Fresh_Hot_Peppers_Capsicum_Chinense_Scotch_Bonnet_Variety_at_Red_Stage

- 100,000–350,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Red Scotch Bonnet Pepper Seeds
  https://www.tyler-farms.com/red-scotch-bonnet-pepper-seeds/

- 100,000–350,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Scotch Bonnet, Red
  https://awhaley.com/shop-seeds/scotch-bonnet-red/

## Heritage

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

## Page sources

- [Botanical history, species, origin, culinary role](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_bonnet)
- [SHU details, flavor, appearance, uses](https://pepperscale.com/scotch-bonnet-pepper/)
- [Appearance, size, flavor notes, culinary applications, nutrition highlights](https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Scotch_Bonnets_Chile_Peppers_165.php)
- [Growing specs (days to maturity, origin anecdote), heat, uses](https://trueloveseeds.com/products/scotch-bonnet-pepper-2)
- [Detailed cultivation guidance for Scotch Bonnet/chinense](https://peppergeek.com/how-to-grow-scotch-bonnet-peppers/)

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

Capsi’s sourced range is 142,931–300,000 SHU (Lab-verified). 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 Scotch Bonnet taste like?

Explosively fruity and tropical with strong citrus, mango, and pineapple notes plus a distinct floral aroma. The heat is fierce but the complex sweetness makes it incredibly flavorful.

### How do I grow Scotch Bonnet?

Scotch Bonnet: about 100 days to maturity, tropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

### What can I substitute for Scotch Bonnet?

habanero, ghost pepper (much hotter)

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