The Chili Charapita

The Chili Charapita is often considered one of the most expensive peppers in the world due to its rarity and small size. These tiny peppers originate from the remote regions of South America, particularly from Peru, and are hand-harvested, making their production more labor-intensive and limited.

• Country of Origin: Peru / Ecuador
• Unit: Scoville: 80,000-120,000

The Aji Charapita pepper grows in the Peruvian Amazon region, near the border with Brazil.

Indigenous farmers harvest the small ripe peppers through wild picking.

Next, the pepper is gently sun-dried.

As early as the Inca period, the Charapita pepper, which botanically belongs to the species "Capsicum chinense," was used to add the proper heat to food. The beautiful peppers, yellowish to orange, measuring just around one centimeter, resemble raisins in shape.

However, don't be fooled by their cute appearance, as with heat levels reaching up to 100,000 Scoville units, the Charapita delivers a heat that is a challenge for the untrained palate.

But if you're accustomed to decent heat, you'll taste the unparalleled fruity, exotic, and floral nuances that make these peppers so special.

The small berries can easily be mortared or crushed to add the necessary heat to your dishes. Ideal uses for these peppers include salsas, sauces, and stews, where the whole fruits can be cooked in the dish.