Species

South America is home to all species of the Capsicum genus. The distribution extends from the high altitudes of the Andes to the southern states of the USA.

Outside of this natural distribution area, it is mainly cultivated commercially in India. Cultivation has also increased significantly in Thailand and Africa in recent years. Even in Central Europe, the number of enthusiasts is growing.

Since the beginning of the 1960s, a distinction has been made between five domesticated species, which are described in the following articles:

C. annum (from mild sweet peppers to cayenne and the Thai varieties)

C. chinense (Habanero, Scotch Bonnet, etc.)

C. baccatum (Angelo, Criolla Sella, Dedo de Moca, Lemon Drop, etc.)

C. pubescens (Rocoto such as San Isidro, Manzano, etc.)

C. frutescens (best known variety is Tabasco)