These small, pointed bullet shaped red or green chillies are extremely tasty and very hot They are sometimes called
Thai chillies but actualy come from Mexico. These chillis are often used in Chinese and
South East Asian cooking.
The bird's eye chilli plant like all chilli plants is a perennial and can be overwintered indoors. The fruits of most varieties are red, some are yellow, purple or black. The fruits are very pungent. The flowers are greenish white or yellowish white.
The bird's eye chili is small but packs some very good heat. At one time it was even listed as the hottest chili in the Guinness Book of World Records but since then other hotter varieties of chili have since been recorded. It is at the lower end of the range and is about as hot as the milder habanero chilis.
The pods of the bird's eye chili are most popularly used as a spicy and chili condiment while its leaves can be consumed as vegetables. It is what gives local dishes such as peri peri its fiery zing. It can also be used to flavor vinegar.
