# Thai Bird's Eye

Also known as Bird's Eye Chili, Thai Chili, Prik Kee Noo, Prik Ki Nu, Cili Padi, Thai Dragon Pepper, Rawit.
Species: Capsicum annuum.

Thai Bird's Eye is a Capsicum annuum cultivar from Southeast Asia, Thailand. Capsi’s sourced range is 45,000–100,000 SHU (Lab-verified; typical 72,500). Flavor is fruity, peppery, earthy, sharp, clean heat. Used for Thai curries, stir-fries, salads (som tam), sambals, dipping sauces. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
About 2.3 times a Capsi Jalapeño (31,902 SHU typical).

## Heat sources

- 45,000–100,000 SHU · Lab-verified
  Wilawan Kraikruan, Sutevee Sukprakarn, Orarat Mongkolporn, Sirikul Wasee (2008) Agriculture and Natural Resources 42(4):611-616 · HPLC
  https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/anres/article/view/244492

- 50,000–100,000 SHU · Unverified
  Thai Peppers Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses
  https://pepperscale.com/thai-peppers/

## Heritage

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

Peppers bred from Thai Bird's Eye:
- [KS Linzo Chocolate](https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/ks-linzo-chocolate)
- [KS Linzo](https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/ks-linzo)
- [KS Misery Sweet](https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/ks-misery-sweet)

## Page sources

- [Botanical history, names, origin, appearance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird%27s_eye_chili)
- [SHU median, flavor, origin, uses](https://pepperscale.com/thai-peppers/)
- [Heat, appearance, culinary recipes, growing notes](https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-types/medium-hot-chili-peppers/bird-s-eye-chili-peppers/)
- [Facts, substitutions, storage, culinary uses](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thai-bird-eye-chili-facts-and-substitutions-3217054)
- [Cultivation, growing conditions, plant traits](https://www.thespruce.com/thai-pepper-plant-care-guide-7506916)
- [USDA hot red chili nutrition proxy per 100g](https://foodstruct.com/food/peppers-hotchili-red-raw)

## FAQ
### How hot is Thai Bird's Eye?

Capsi’s sourced range is 45,000–100,000 SHU (Lab-verified; typical 72,500). 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 Thai Bird's Eye taste like?

Bright, fruity, and peppery with a clean, sharp heat that lingers. The thin skin and juicy flesh give a distinctive fresh bite. Green pods are brighter and grassier; ripe red pods are sweeter and more intense.

### How do I grow Thai Bird's Eye?

Thai Bird's Eye: about 100 days to maturity, tropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

### What can I substitute for Thai Bird's Eye?

serrano pepper, cayenne pepper, African bird's eye (peri-peri)

Page: https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/thai-birds-eye
Catalog: https://web.thecapsi.app/data