Seven Star Chili

Aromatic with citrus notes, clean heat, and a distinctive sweet aftertaste in the Xindian landrace.

Seven Star Chili is a Chinese Capsicum annuum variety prized for its upright-growing small conical to spindle-shaped pods that point skyward, often in star-like clusters. Pods measure roughly 1–5 cm long and 0.5–1 cm wide, with thin walls, smooth glossy skin, and a bright red ripe color after starting green. Plants are compact and bushy, typically 30–85 cm tall. The variety is closely related to Facing Heaven (Chao Tian Jiao) types and is known in China as Zhi Tian Jiao, Man Tian Xing (“starry sky”), or Xindian Qixing Jiao. It delivers medium-to-high heat with an aromatic, slightly citrusy character and, in some regional selections such as the Xindian landrace, a distinctive sweet aftertaste.

Chili peppers reached China via Portuguese and Spanish trade in the late 16th century and became central to Sichuan and Hunan cooking by the 18th century. Seven Star Chili (also called Zhi Tian Jiao or Man Tian Xing) takes its name from the upward-pointing pods that resemble stars or the Big Dipper. The Xindian (Xin Dian) landrace from Weiyuan County, Sichuan, received Chinese geographic-indication protection in 2007 and has long been used in chili-eating contests for its intense yet aromatic heat.