17 Types of Purple Peppers: A Guide to Unique Varieties and Their Heat Levels
Purple chili peppers are a unique and vibrant category of peppers, offering a range of flavors from sweet and mild to intensely hot. This guide explores 17 different types of purple peppers, detailing their Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) ratings, characteristics, and culinary uses.
Purple Beauty Bell Pepper
Scoville Rating: 0 SHU
The Purple Beauty Bell Pepper is a stunning variation of the classic bell pepper. Boasting a deep, rich purple color both inside and out, this sweet and mild pepper is perfect for adding a pop of color to salads, stuffed dishes, and roasted vegetable medleys. Despite its vibrant hue, the Purple Beauty maintains the classic crisp texture and subtly sweet flavor profile of traditional bell peppers.
Purple Marconi Pepper
Scoville Rating: 0 SHU
Hailing from Italy, the Purple Marconi Pepper is a large, tapered sweet pepper variety known for its thick, juicy flesh and robust, smoky-sweet flavor. As the name suggests, these peppers mature to a deep purple color, making them a visually striking addition to any dish. Purple Marconis are versatile enough to be enjoyed raw, grilled, roasted, or stuffed.
Murasaki Purple Pepper
Scoville Rating: 0 to 1,000 SHU
The Murasaki Purple Pepper, originating from Japan, is a sweet and slightly tangy variety with a distinctive blocky shape and thick, crunchy flesh. These peppers start off a deep purple color and can even appear almost black, with a contrasting green interior. Murasaki Purples are well-suited for raw preparations, roasting, grilling, or stir-fries, where their bold color and balanced flavor profile can shine.
Pasilla Peppers
Scoville Rating: 1,000 to 2,500 SHU
While not technically a purple pepper, the Pasilla Pepper from Northern Mexico often exhibits a deep, almost purple-black hue. These long, slender pods are commonly used in salsas, mole sauces, and chili rellenos, where their earthy, raisin-like flavor can add depth and complexity to dishes. Pasillas can be a suitable substitute for Poblano peppers in many recipes.
Purple Jalapeño Pepper
Scoville Rating: 2,000 to 8,000 SHU
The Purple Jalapeño Pepper is a unique variation of the beloved jalapeño, featuring a dark purple color that gradually transitions to red as it matures. While maintaining a similar heat level to traditional green jalapeños, the Purple Jalapeño offers a slightly sweeter and fruitier flavor profile. These peppers can be used in salsas, pickling, sauces, or as a spicy topping on a variety of dishes.
Mr. Purple Hot Pepper
Scoville Rating: 3,000 to 25,000 SHU
As the name suggests, the Mr. Purple Hot Pepper is a hybrid variety that combines the purple hue of specialty peppers with a medium to high level of spiciness. These unique chilies can be used in salsas, hot sauces, and as a flavorful ingredient in various cooked dishes. While often grown for their ornamental appeal, Mr. Purple Hots can also hold their own in the kitchen, providing a subtle kick of heat.
Purple Prince Pepper
Scoville Rating: 4,000 to 10,000 SHU
The Purple Prince Pepper is a medium-sized variety known for its elongated shape and slightly thinner skin compared to other purple peppers. These chilies offer a mild to moderate heat level, making them a versatile choice for salsas, sauces, stir-fries, and as a decorative element in salads. The Purple Prince’s striking purple color and balanced flavor profile make it a popular option for both culinary and ornamental purposes.
Purple Tiger Pepper
Scoville Rating: 4,000 to 11,000 SHU
The Purple Tiger Pepper is an ornamental hot pepper variety that boasts a unique appearance, with small, elongated fruits that ripen from green to purple and finally to red. These peppers, also known as “Pretty Purple Peppers,“ have a spicy flavor profile and are often grown for their striking visual appeal in the garden. While edible, the Purple Tiger’s primary use is as a decorative element in dishes and floral arrangements.
Purple Cluster Pepper
Scoville Rating: 5,000 to 30,000 SHU
As the name suggests, the Purple Cluster Pepper grows in clusters on the plant, with small to medium-sized, slender, and elongated pods. These peppers start off with a deep purple color and maintain their vibrant hue even when fully ripe. Purple Cluster Peppers can be used in a variety of culinary applications, such as pickling, grilling, stuffing, or adding a pop of color to various dishes.
Peruvian Purple Pepper
Scoville Rating: 12,000 to 30,000 SHU
Also known as the Rocoto Pepper, the Peruvian Purple Pepper is a hot variety native to the Andean region of South America. These small to medium-sized peppers have a round shape and a wrinkled, purple skin. Peruvian Purples are known for their intense heat, as well as their fruity and smoky flavor profile, making them a popular ingredient in traditional Peruvian cuisine, particularly in sauces, stews, and other spicy dishes.
Purple UFO Pepper
Scoville Rating: 30,000 to 45,000 SHU (some sources claim up to 100,000 SHU)
The aptly named Purple UFO Pepper is an ornamental variety known for its unique, flying saucer-like shape. These small peppers start off a bright, vivid purple and eventually mature to a deep crimson red. While the Purple UFO Pepper packs a medium to high level of heat, its primary use is often as a decorative element in the garden or in culinary presentations, rather than for its spicy kick.
Bolivian Rainbow Hot Pepper
Scoville Rating: 30,000 to 50,000 SHU
The Bolivian Rainbow Hot Pepper is a small, ornamental variety that showcases a stunning array of colors, including purple, yellow, orange, and red. These vibrant peppers are named after the Bolivian flag, reflecting their diverse and eye-catching appearance. With a heat level comparable to a cayenne pepper, Bolivian Rainbow Hots can be used to add a fiery punch to sauces, salsas, and other spicy dishes.
Purple Cayenne Pepper
Scoville Rating: 35,000 to 50,000 SHU
The Purple Cayenne Pepper is a variation of the traditional cayenne pepper, featuring a dark purple color that stands out from the typical bright red. While often sold in its dried and ground form, fresh purple cayenne peppers can add a fiery kick to soups, meats, and even desserts. With its versatility and robust flavor, the purple cayenne is a go-to choice for those seeking to amp up the heat.
Purple Habanero Pepper
Scoville Rating: 100,000 to 350,000 SHU
The Purple Habanero Pepper is a variety of the habanero pepper known for its intense heat and fruity flavor. As the name suggests, it has a vibrant purple color that distinguishes it from traditional orange or red habanero peppers. Habaneros are often used in stewed, fried, or fermented dishes, where their heat and unique flavor can shine. Purple habaneros are relatively rare, making them a prized find for hot pepper enthusiasts.
Purple Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper)
Scoville Rating: 850,000 to 1,450,000 SHU
The Purple Ghost Pepper is a hot pepper variety that is a cross between the infamous Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper) and a purple pepper cultivar. It inherits the extreme heat of the Bhut Jolokia and showcases a deep purple color. The Purple Ghost Pepper is known for its intense spiciness and is generally used sparingly in cooking sauces and spice blends. Caution is advised when handling or consuming this pepper, as it is one of the hottest varieties in the world.
Buena Mulata Pepper
Scoville Rating: 30,000 to 50,000 SHU
The Buena Mulata Pepper is similar in appearance to the Purple Cayenne, with its long, slender shape and vibrant purple hue. These peppers pack a medium level of heat, comparable to a cayenne, and can be used in a variety of culinary applications, from salsas and sauces to drying and grinding into spice blends. As the peppers mature, they transition from their purple color to a deep red, showcasing their visual transformation.
Filius Blue Pepper
Scoville Rating: 40,000 to 58,000 SHU
The Filius Blue Pepper is a unique ornamental variety known for its deep blue-purple color. These small, bulbous peppers have a sweet and spicy flavor profile, making them a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. While primarily grown for their striking appearance, Filius Blues can also be used in sauces, salsas, or as a decorative element in various dishes.
Purple peppers offer a distinctive alternative to traditional green and red varieties with their unique colors and flavors. Their varying heat levels and striking appearance bring a fresh and uncommon element to a wide range of dishes.
