Xiao Mi La Pepper
Also known as Xiaomila · Little Rice Chili · Millet Pepper · Xiao Mi La · Thai Pepper (China)
The Xiao Mi La Pepper, or 'Little Rice Chili,' is a small, intensely hot cultivar of Capsicum frutescens naturalized in southern China. It is one of the three most common chilies in Chinese cuisine and a staple in Sichuan dishes for its fiery heat and distinctive flavor.
About 3.8 times a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU typical).
Flavor & Use
Fruity and earthy with a clean, sharp heat that enhances Sichuan mala dishes without bitterness.
Culinary
About
Xiao Mi La peppers are small and narrow, typically 1 to 2.75 inches long with a pointed shape, ripening from green to vibrant red. They grow on perennial shrubs adapted to subtropical conditions of high temperature, humidity, low light, and poor soil. This cultivar is the only wild pepper species naturalized in China, primarily in southern Yunnan, though widely cultivated and used across Sichuan, Yunnan, and Hunan provinces. In the kitchen, they are used whole or chopped in stir-fries, hot pots, mala xiang guo, dry-fried chicken dishes, pickles, and chili pastes; they are also processed into flakes and powders. Their flavor profile includes fruity and earthy notes that complement Sichuan's mala seasoning. They substitute well for Chile de Árbol and are often sold dried in Asian markets.
Backstory
Naturalized in southern Yunnan as China's only wild Capsicum species, adapted over time to local subtropical conditions and now a cornerstone of regional cuisines.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreWe don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Xiao Mi La Pepper?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 10,693–177,735 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 Xiao Mi La Pepper taste like?
- Fruity and earthy with a clean, sharp heat that enhances Sichuan mala dishes without bitterness.
- How do I grow Xiao Mi La Pepper?
- Xiao Mi La Pepper: subtropical, high heat and humidity tolerant climate.
- What can I substitute for Xiao Mi La Pepper?
- Chile de Árbol, Thai bird's eye