Chili Padi

Basic Information

Anatomy

Chili padi grows in a bush, and two to three fruits will grow from a node at a time. The bush is perennial and will keep growing year after year.
Chili padi fruits of the C. frutescens variety tend to point upwards instead of dangling down like other chilies.

Biological Traits

Chili padi is known for its intense spiciness, more so than any other pepper currently known.

Genetics and Reproduction

Chili padi bushes are self pollinating, though farmers will give a helping hand to cultivated bushes by gently shaking the branches.

Ecology and Habitats

Chili padi like all peppers, thrives in a somewhat dry tropical climate. It does not take well to flooded areas.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Chili padi is used a lot in cooking. Often sold dried, the chili fruit adds a spicy kick to anything. Some cooks take out the seeds to reduce its heat.
There are many ways to use chili padi, such as crushing them into paste, slicing and dicing for garnish, adding them to soup.
A common recipe in Malacca is steamed rice with dried anchovies and chili paste, known as nasi lemak.
Another method to serve chili padi as a condiment among the Chinese locals is to slice the fruit and drown it in soya sauce, supposedly able to tone down the spice.
Because of its fame for being spicy, prepared chili padi sells very well in Malacca despite most customers from the West not being able to appreciate its taste.
The most common groups that appreciate chili padi are the locals, Indians, Arabians, and the occasional Thai visitor.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Formerly found in the Central New World, but now cultivated in tropics around the world. Malacca is said to grow the strongest chili padis.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

As the chili is a plant, it is unlikely it has the same five basic senses as animals.

Scientific Name

Capsicum frutescena
Capsicum annuum

Conservation Status

Not likely to go extinct

Average Height

0.6 - 0.8 m Can grow up to 2 m tall

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Chili padi fruits range from yellow to bright red.

Geographic Distribution

• Malacca