# Shishito

Also known as Shishitōgarashi, Lion Pepper, Kkwarigochu, Shishito Chile.
Species: Capsicum annuum.

Shishito is a Capsicum annuum landrace from Japan (traditional landrace), Japan. Capsi’s sourced range is 19,961 SHU (Lab-verified; typical 125). Flavor is sweet, grassy, smoky, citrusy, earthy. Used for blistered/fried in olive oil with sea salt, appetizers, stir-fries, tempura, grilled. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
About 1/201 the typical heat of a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU).

## Heat sources

- 19,961 SHU · Lab-verified
  Malak Alghamdi, Thirumurugan Rathinasabapathy, Slavko Komarnytsky (2025) Int. J. Mol. Sci. · HPLC
  DOI: 10.3390/ijms26104916
  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26104916

- 50–200 SHU · Vendor Claim
  PepperScale Shishito Pepper Guide, Chili Pepper Madness, Botanical Interests
  https://pepperscale.com/shishito-pepper/ ; https://www.botanicalinterests.com/products/shishito-chili-pepper-organic-seeds ; https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-types/shishito-chili-peppers/

- 50–200 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Ark Foods - All About Shishito Peppers
  https://www.arkfoods.com/blog/education/all-about-shishito-peppers

## Heritage

Landrace

Shishito is a traditional landrace.

Peer-reviewed Japanese papers call Shishito a landrace cultivar and name no parents. Baker Creek, Tatiana’s list, and Wakayama Prefecture likewise treat it as an old Japanese local type; later commercial F1 packets are not this line.

## Page sources

- [Botanical overview, names, heat variability, culinary history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shishito)
- [Detailed SHU range, flavor profile, origin notes, substitutions](https://pepperscale.com/shishito-pepper/)
- [Heat, description, plant size, cooking recommendations](https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-types/shishito-chili-peppers/)
- [Appearance specs, flavor, culinary uses, nutrition notes, backstory](https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Green_Shishito_Chile_Peppers_139.php)
- [Comprehensive growing guide, nutrition per 100g, plant/fruit details](https://www.gardenia.net/plant/capsicum-annuum-shishito-pepper)
- [UC extension practical growing tips, plant size, spacing, harvest timing](https://ucanr.edu/blog/under-solano-sun/article/shishito-peppers)
- [Detailed cultivation parameters, zones, care, days to maturity](https://www.thespruce.com/shishito-pepper-plant-growing-guide-7556736)
- [Reputable heirloom seed catalog description and provenance](https://www.rareseeds.com/pepper-sweet-shishito)

## FAQ
### How hot is Shishito?

Capsi’s sourced range is 19,961 SHU (Lab-verified; typical 125). 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 Shishito taste like?

Sweet, grassy, and slightly citrusy with a mild peppery finish. When blistered in oil the flavor becomes richer and faintly smoky; the thin skin nearly melts in the mouth. Most pods are sweet and mild; the occasional hotter one adds a pleasant surprise.

### How do I grow Shishito?

Shishito: about 60 days to maturity, warm subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11 (annual elsewhere).

### What can I substitute for Shishito?

Padrón peppers

Page: https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/shishito
Catalog: https://web.thecapsi.app/data