Whole Charapita chilli, orange wild chilli from Ecuador

Product description

Charapita chilli is one of the rare wild chillies from the Amazon region of Ecuador. At Biova it is offered as whole, approx. 1 cm small orange berries. The bright colour, compact size and a heat level of around 80,000–120,000 Scoville make this chilli spice a distinctive ingredient.

Gentle drying and packing as pieces or whole berries largely preserves the fruity, exotic aroma of this Capsicum chinense speciality. Biova relies on natural bulk product with a defined grain size of “pieces / whole”, so that structure, colour and essential oils remain as unaltered as possible.

In the kitchen, these small wild chillies allow very precise control of heat, as each berry can be cooked whole, removed again or freshly crushed in a mortar. Salsas, sauces, curries and stews gain fruity, spicy accents with an additional decorative effect.

Origin

Charapita chilli comes from Ecuador in the Amazon basin, where tropical climate, high humidity and nutrient-rich soils prevail. These conditions promote intense development of flavour, heat and the stable orange skin that is carefully selected for the Biova range.

Cultivation / production / harvest

The plants are mainly grown by smallholder farmers or harvested from near-natural stands. Only fully ripe berries with a strong orange colour are picked, then gently dried at low temperatures and packed as whole fruits for bulk use.

Characteristics

Charapita chilli is characterised by its very small fruit size of around 0.8–1.3 cm and its intense orange colour. In the 20,001–100,000+ Scoville heat segment it delivers a distinctive yet easy-to-dose heat, ideal for decorative applications and freshly ground Biova spice blends.

Differences in origin and processing

Depending on the region within the Amazon area, there may be subtle differences in heat level, fruitiness and colour intensity. The Ecuadorian origin stands for a well-balanced ratio of heat to aroma with a clear, bright colour, while gentle drying without grinding preserves essential oils better than many chilli powders.

Taste & aroma

Sensory-wise, Charapita chilli offers a pronounced, long-lasting heat with fruity-exotic and slightly floral notes. In hot dishes it develops aromas reminiscent of tropical fruits, while the dried berries have an intense, spicy and slightly floral smell.

Suggested uses

• For targeted seasoning of salsas, dips and hot sauces with fruity heat.
• Cooked whole in stews, curries and braises and removed again before serving if required.
• Freshly crushed in a mortar for marinades, rubs, chilli granulates and your own Biova spice blends.

Product specification

• Country of origin: Ecuador
• Grain size: Pieces / whole, whole berries approx. 0.8–1.3 cm
• Colour: Orange