Description
The Pimenta Barra do Ribeiro, as of 2025, is my favourite tasting pepper of all time, and I do not say this lightly! This one has a spot on my grow list every year, it's not negotiable.
For a Capsicum baccatum, this is a very unusual accession. The growth habit is somewhat more compact than its species counterparts, with short internode spacing and very small flowers. Unusually, there are also hints of anthocyanin on the leaves, flowers and pods.
The pods themselves have delicious thick walls which provide one of the most satisfying crunches I have ever gotten out of a chilli. Immediately, a hit of tropical fruit covers the palate, and there is a nice uniform heat alongside. I have yet to uncover the full culinary potential of this pepper, but I would imagine they would make an elite Malawi Piquante (Peppadew) replacement!
Hailing from Brazil, this pepper gets its name from the municipality in Rio Grande do Sul. The local residents of Barra do Ribeiro celebrate this chilli every year, and it's easy to see why!