Scotch Bonnet vs Habanero
Scotch Bonnet and Habanero top out at the same 350,000 SHU.
Both are C. chinense.
Which one do you have? Check it with the pepper identifier.
| Scotch Bonnet | Habanero | |
|---|---|---|
| Scoville Heat Units | 100,000 to 350,000 SHU | 100,000 to 350,000 SHU |
| Heat level | Very Hot (100,001–500,000 SHU) | Very Hot (100,001–500,000 SHU) |
| Species | C. chinense | C. chinense |
| Ripe pod color | Yellow | Orange |
| Immature color | Green | Green |
| Pod shape | Mushroom/bonnet/UFO | Habanero-type |
| Pod length | 1 to 2 inches | 1 to 2 inches |
| Flesh | Medium thick flesh | Thin flesh |
| Pod orientation | Pendant pods | Pendant pods |
| Plant height | 24 to 30 inches | 30 to 36 inches |
| Days to harvest | Very Late 90-120 | Very Late 90-120 |
| Flowers | Solid white/cream | Solid white/cream |
| Region of origin | Jamaica | Mexico |
| Credited to | not recorded | Landrace — Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico |
| Also known as | Yellow Scotch Bonnet; Bonney Pepper Yellow; SB Yellow; Yellow Bonney Pepper; Scotch Bonnet Yellow; Scotch Bonnet Jamaican; Jamaican Scotch Bonnet; Jamaican Scotch Bonnet Long; Jamaican Bonney Pepper Long; Jamaican; Big Jamaican; Scotch Bonnet Jamaican Yellow; Bonney Pepper Jamaican Yellow; SB Jamaican Yellow; Yellow Bonney Pepper Jamaican; Bahama Mama; Jamaican Hot; Scotty Bons; Boabs Bonnet; Panamanian Pepper; Martinique Pepper | Hab; Habañero; Habanero Orange; Orange Habanero; Hab Orange; Habañero Orange; Habanero Naranja; Habanero Mexican Orange; Habanero Orange Giant; Hab Orange Giant; Habañero Orange Giant |
Both are C. chinense. The Scotch Bonnet is the Jamaican pepper. The Habanero is the pepper of the Yucatán.
Mexico published a denominación de origen for Chile Habanero de la Península de Yucatán in June 2010, covering Yucatán, Campeche and Quintana Roo. The Scotch Bonnet is the Jamaican cooking pepper.
The shapes differ. The Scotch Bonnet is squat and pleated with a flattened bottom, which is where the tam-o'-shanter name comes from. The Habanero is a lantern that narrows to a point. Flavor follows the shape. Tasters describe the Habanero as floral and apricot-like, the Scotch Bonnet as sweeter, with apple and tomato under the heat. In Jamaican cooking the Scotch Bonnet substitutes for nothing. It is the pepper in jerk seasoning and in escovitch. In Yucatecan cooking the Habanero holds the same seat at the table.
Where do Scotch Bonnet and Habanero come from?
Scotch Bonnet is recorded as originating in Jamaica. Habanero is recorded as originating in Mexico.
All C. chinense varieties · All very hot peppers
All C. chinense varieties · All very hot peppers
Figures come from each variety's WikiPepper record. Last updated Oct 17, 2026.