Fatalii
A searing African chili with fruity, citrus heat.
The Fatalii is a chilli pepper variety from the Capsicum chinense species, originating in southern or central Africa from American peppers. It delivers a fruity, citrus taste and intense heat similar to the habanero, to which it is related and from which it may have come.
Quick Facts
- Species
- Capsicum chinense
- Origin
- Africa
Facts from the source article.
Cultivation
Plants typically grow 20 inches tall but can reach 3 feet or more under good conditions, with similar spacing between plants. The pendant pods are about 2.5 inches long and 0.75 inches wide, maturing from pale green to bright yellow in the most common variety. Less common varieties include red, chocolate, and white Fataliis. The red version has shorter, wider pods and an unstable strain that may produce yellow or orange fruit. The white Fatalii tastes similar to the yellow but lighter and more citrusy, with slightly less heat.
Raw chili taste
When a whole white chili is chewed for at least 10 seconds before swallowing, the heat is first felt aggressively in the back of the throat and up the nose, then moves to the roof of the mouth and finally the tongue, where pain becomes intense. This may cause gustatory sweating and tears. Some tasters find the strong, fruity Fatalii flavor almost identical to the yellow version, while others find it milder.
Culinary use
The Fatalii is known for extreme heat and citrus flavor and is often made into hot sauces with lime or lemon. Its heat can be reduced with oil and nuts. Hot sauce variations frequently include pineapple or mango. It can be used fresh diced in marinades, dressings, barbecue sauces, salsa, and chutney, and combined with fruit for jelly or jam. Being thin-walled, it is ideal for drying, and it adds fruity flavor and spice when brewing beer.
More in Chili Pepper Varieties
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