The appearance of the Orange Scotch Bonnet pepper is somewhat similar to the Habanero pepper, but Scotch Bonnets do not have nearly as high of a heat level. The peppers are round and have smooth skin. Orange Scotch Bonnet pepper plants are high-yielding plants that grow about three to four feet tall. The Orange Scotch Bonnet pepper is considered a hot pepper as it averages 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville Heat Units, about the same as a Habanero pepper.
The pepper has a slightly fruity taste, but the heat kicks in shortly after consumption. It’s very closely related to the Habanero, so those who have tasted a Habanero have a good idea of what an Orange Scotch Bonnet is like in terms of heat, but the Scotch Bonnet has a fruitier flavor. The sweetness of the Orange Scotch Bonnet makes it a very popular pepper for salsa, hot sauce, and all sorts of Caribbean cuisine, including the well-known jerk chicken and jerk pork.
