Scotch Bonnet Pepper: A Fiery Caribbean Ingredient

What Is A Scotch Bonnet?

The scotch bonnet (also known as Bonney peppers, Bahamian goat peppers, or Caribbean red peppers) is a type of capsicum, which is the plant family that includes all chili peppers.

This particular pepper is native to the Caribbean, and it gets its name from its resemblance to a Scottish tam o' shanter hat. The scotch bonnet is also sometimes called the "bonnie Scotland chili."

Interestingly enough, not all scotch bonnets are red. This pepper can also be yellow, orange, or even chocolate brown. The color doesn't affect the heat level of the pepper as much, though; all scotch bonnets pack a powerful punch.

How Hot Are Scotch Bonnet Peppers

You may have seen Scotch bonnet peppers in your local grocery store and wondered just how hot they are. Here's a breakdown of the heat level of Scotch bonnets as well as what they taste like.

This pepper is notoriously spicy and is one of the hottest peppers in the world, and it ranks high on the Scoville scale.

For reference, jalapeños only rank between 2,500 and 8,000 on the Scoville scale, while habaneros top out at around 350,000. Scotch bonnets, on the other hand, fall between 100,000 and 350,000 on the Scoville scale. In other words, they're pretty darn spicy!

As for taste, they have a fruity flavor with hints of citrus. Some say they can also taste faintly of banana. No matter what you think they taste like, there's no denying that these peppers pack a serious flavor punch in addition to their heat.

Types Of Scotch Bonnet Chili Peppers

With their bright colors and fiery heat, Scotch bonnet chili peppers are a favorite among pepper lovers. But did you know that there are actually several different types of Scotch bonnets?

Read on to learn more about the Burkina Yellow Scotch Bonnet, The Jamaican Hot, The Sweet Scotch Bonnet, and the Scotch Bonnet Chocolate.

• Burkina Yellow Scotch Bonnet: This variety is native to Burkina Faso, and it is characterized by its slightly tart flavor. The Burkina Yellow Scotch Bonnet is one of the milder varieties of Scotch bonnet chili pepper, with a heat level that is similar to that of jalapeño pepper.
• The Jamaican Hot: As the name suggests, this variety hails from Jamaica. It is one of the hotter varieties of Scotch bonnets, with a heat level that can rival that of habanero pepper. The Jamaican Hot is also notable for its fruity flavor.
• The Sweet Scotch Bonnet: This variety is native to the Caribbean Islands, and it gets its sweetness from its high sugar content. It is not as fiery as some of the other varieties, but it still has a respectable amount of heat.
• Scotch Bonnet Chocolate: This variety is native to Jamaica, and it gets its unique color from a mutation that occurred during cultivation. The scotch bonnet chocolate has a chocolate-like flavor, and it is one of the milder varieties of Scotch bonnet pepper.

Habanero vs Scotch Bonnet

There are endless varieties of chili pepper, but two of the most popular are the habanero and the scotch bonnet. Both peppers pack a punch, but they have some important differences. Let's take a closer look at these two beloved chili peppers.

• Origin: The habanero pepper is native to the Amazon basin, specifically in Peru and Ecuador. It was then introduced to Mesoamerica by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. The scotch bonnet, on the other hand, originated in Jamaica. It gets its name from its resemblance to a Tam o'Shanter—a type of Scottish woolen hat. These peppers were then introduced to other parts of the Caribbean by African slaves who had been taken to the region.
• Taste: Habanero peppers are known for their fruity, citrusy flavor. They can be used fresh or dried, and are often used in salsas and sauces. Scotch bonnets, on the other hand, have a sweeter flavor with notes of apricot or plum. They are also used fresh or dried and find their way into many traditional Jamaican dishes. 
• Heat Level: When it comes to heat level, there is no clear winner—it depends on the specific pepper. That said, habanero peppers generally fall between 100,000-350,000 units on the Scoville scale (a measure of chili pepper spiciness), while scotch bonnets generally fall between 100,000-575,000 units on the Scoville scale.

Substitute For Scotch Bonnet Pepper

If you can't find these spicy peppers at your local grocery store, don't worry – there are plenty of substitutes that will give your dish the same flavor and heat. 

1. Habanero Peppers: Habanero peppers are another type of chili pepper that is native to the Caribbean. They're very similar in appearance to scotch bonnet peppers and have a comparable level of heat. If you can't find scotch bonnet chiles, habanero peppers make an excellent substitute.
2. Ghost Peppers: Ghost pepper, also known as Bhut Jolokia pepper, are one of the hottest chili peppers in the world. They originate from India and have a Scoville rating of 1 million – that's more than twice as hot as fresh scotch bonnets! If you're looking for pepper with a serious kick, ghost peppers are a good option.
3. Jalapeno Peppers: Jalapeño peppers are a type of chili pepper that is commonly used in Mexican cuisine. They're not as hard to find as some of the other chili pepper substitutes on this list, which is handy if you need last-minute scotch bonnet pepper replacements.
4. Serrano Peppers: Serrano peppers are another type of chili pepper that is commonly used in Mexican cuisine. Like jalapenos, they're fairly easy to find and not as spicy as scotch bonnets. Serrano peppers have a slightly fruity flavor in addition to their heat, which may be detectable in your final dish if you use them as a substitute. 
5. Thai Chili Peppers: Thai chili peppers are small but mighty when it comes to heat. These bright red peppers pack a serious punch – they have a Scoville rating of 50,000-100,000! Thai chili peppers also have a bit of sweetness to them, so they'll add some complexity to your dish in addition to their heat.