Yellow Lantern Chili
Also known as Hainan Yellow Lantern Chili · Yellow Emperor Chili · Huang Deng Long Jiao · Hainan Yellow Lantern
The Yellow Lantern Chili, also known as the Hainan Yellow Lantern or Yellow Emperor Chili, is a bright yellow cultivar of Capsicum chinense native to Hainan Island off southern China. It produces small, lantern-shaped pods with intense heat and a distinctive aromatic flavor profile typical of chinense peppers.
About 6.4 times a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU typical).
Growing
~110 days to maturity
Fruit size
5–5.5 cm
Flavor & Use
Strong chinense aroma with fruity and floral tropical notes; heat accompanied by pickled garlic undertones in sauces.
Culinary
About
This hot chili matures to a vibrant bright yellow color and measures approximately 5 cm long by 3 cm wide, with a glossy skin and thick, juicy flesh. Plants are bushy, reaching 60-90 cm in height, and are highly productive in tropical conditions. The peppers have a strong chinense aroma with fruity, floral, and tropical notes, often compared to other yellow varieties like Harold St. Barts. It was introduced to Hainan in the 1940s by overseas Chinese from Southeast Asia and has been selectively cultivated for superior yield and flavor. Locally, it is prized for making fermented hot sauces, pickles, and condiments used in Hainanese cuisine, particularly with seafood and in stir-fries. The peppers transition from pale green to golden yellow at maturity and are rich in vitamin C and carotenoids.
Backstory
Introduced to Hainan Island in the 1940s by overseas Chinese returning from Southeast Asia; selectively bred by local farmers for high productivity and distinctive bright yellow color and aroma. A 2009 improved cultivar from the Chinese Tropical Agriculture Institute increased yields dramatically.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreWe don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Yellow Lantern Chili?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 150,000–170,000 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 Yellow Lantern Chili taste like?
- Strong chinense aroma with fruity and floral tropical notes; heat accompanied by pickled garlic undertones in sauces.
- How do I grow Yellow Lantern Chili?
- Yellow Lantern Chili: about 110 days to maturity, tropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Yellow Lantern Chili?
- habanero, Scotch bonnet, other yellow C. chinense varieties