Asian Birdseye Chilli Seeds

Asian Birdseye Open Pollinated Chilli Seeds. The Asian Birdseye (C. Annuum) is not to be confused with the elusive African Birdseye (aka Peri Peri). The latter is an all together different species – Capsicum Frutescens. The Asian Birdseye is Capsicum Annuum and a very popular and quite common cultivar in the kitchen.

An easy and very productive plant, the Asian Birdseye will reach a good 1,2m in height and produce plenty of pointed, facing heaven pods that ripen from green to red when fully ripe. These pods can be harvested when green for a hot herbacious flavour and also when fully ripened (red) for a fruitier, sweeter flavour. The heat on these little fire crackers is respectable at the 80,000 – 100,000 SHU mark. The burn is very astringent and instant. This chilli is often used instead of the harder to come by African Buirdseye to make Peri Peri sauce. This cultivar is frequently farmed commercially as it is far easier to grow, handle, yields more, is more hardy and will transport better than the African Birdseye. So very often when shops are selling Malawian (or Zimbabwe) Birdeye, it is this cultivar, the Asian Birdseye.

These chillies are very much a culinary chilli, being used fresh, dried and in dishes – especially Asian dishes. A must have chilli in the planter outside the kitchen.