Yellow Scotch Bonnet
Also known as Jamaican Yellow · Scotch Bonnet Yellow · Scotty Bon
Yellow Scotch Bonnet is the bright-yellow form of the traditional Caribbean Scotch Bonnet, a Capsicum chinense valued for its fruity citrus flavor and intense heat in Jamaican and island cooking.
About 5.7 times a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU typical).
Growing
~95 days to maturity
Fruit size
3.5–5 cm
Flavor & Use
Sweet, fruity, and citrusy with a clean tropical heat.
Culinary
About
Small, squat, bonnet-shaped pods with wrinkled skin that ripen from green to bright yellow. The flavor is fruity and citrusy with tropical notes under the heat. Plants are compact and productive in warm weather and do well in containers or garden beds. Widely used in Caribbean cooking for marinades, sauces, and everyday heat.
Backstory
A long-kept color form of the Caribbean Scotch Bonnet, cultivated across Jamaica and neighboring islands after Capsicum chinense reached the region. Local cooks have used yellow, orange, and red forms interchangeably for generations in jerk and other island dishes.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreYellow Scotch Bonnet is a traditional landrace.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Yellow Scotch Bonnet?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 142,931 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 Scotch Bonnet taste like?
- Sweet, fruity, and citrusy with a clean tropical heat.
- How do I grow Yellow Scotch Bonnet?
- Yellow Scotch Bonnet: about 95 days to maturity, tropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Yellow Scotch Bonnet?
- Orange Habanero, Scotch Bonnet, Habanero