Habanero vs. Scotch Bonnet (What’s the Difference?)

Habanero and Scotch Bonnet are both hot chili peppers. They may look quite similar and are often substituted for each other in recipes, but there are some differences between the two, especially in flavor.

Some varieties of habanero chilies are slightly hotter than scotch bonnet chilies. Habaneros are also a little sweet and fruity but have a slightly bitter taste. On the other hand, scotch bonnet chilies are also a little sweet and fruity, but they lack bitterness. However, these differences are fairly slight, and most people won’t notice them.

The Major Differences between Habanero and Scotch Bonnet Chilies

To give you a better understanding of the major differences and similarities between these two chili peppers, here’s a handy chart.

	Habanero	Scotch Bonnet
Plant origin	Mexico & South America	Jamaica, Caribbean & West Africa
Visual appearance	Teardrop with a pointed tip	Globular with a squat or round tip
Flavor	Sweet, fruity, hot, and slightly bitter	Sweet, fruity, and hot
Heat	100,000 to 350,000 SHU	100,000 to 350,000 SHU
Color	Green, yellow, orange, red, white, purple, or brown	Green, yellow, peach, orange, red, or brown
Plant characteristics	A bushy plant with broad green leaves that grows to a height of around 3 feet (90 cm)	A busy plant with broad leaves that can grow to a height of around 3 feet (90 cm)
Plant family	Solanaceae	Solanaceae
Botanical name or species	Capsicum chinense	Capsicum chinense
Common names	Habanero	Scotch bonnet, Bonney pepper, Caribbean red pepper

Habanero and Scotch Bonnet Peppers Look slightly Different

Apart from their taste, both peppers are slightly different in appearance. While habaneros are teardrop shaped with a pointed tip, scotch bonnets are more globular and are quite squat or rounded at the tip.

Habanero and Scotch Bonnet Peppers have Different Origins

Although these two pepper varieties are in the same plant family and genus, they do originate from different countries.

Habanero peppers originate from Mexico, while scotch bonnet peppers come from Jamaica. The climate in both these countries is fairly similar, so either pepper could be grown in other regions that have a hot and humid climate during the summer.

Habanero and Scotch Bonnet Pepper Heat Ratings

Although many people say that habaneros are slightly hotter, they both share the same heat rating of between 100,000 and 350,000 Scoville heat units. This rating is considered “very hot.”

Are there Size Differences between Habanero and Scotch Bonnet Peppers?

Generally speaking, both habaneros and scotch bonnets are very similar in size. While fully ripe habanero chilies can reach a length of 2.4 inches (6 cm), scotch bonnet chilies reach a length of around 2.6 inches (7 cm). So, you can see that there is little difference in the size of these two peppers.

Are there any Color Differences between Habanero and Scotch Bonnet Peppers?

Both habanero and scotch bonnet peppers go through numerous color changes, and their colors are fairly similar. Here’s a breakdown:

Habaneros can be green, yellow, orange, red, white, purple, or brown.
Scotch bonnets can be green, yellow, peach, orange, red, or brown.

As you can see, there’s not much color difference between the two species of peppers.

Different Varieties of Habanero and Scotch Bonnet Peppers

There are different varieties of habanero and scotch bonnet peppers. All have their own distinctive characteristics, although they are all fairly similar. Here’s a quick rundown of the different varieties you’re likely to encounter:

Orange Habanero. It has a fruity and floral flavor and is hot.
Red Savina Habanero. This chili has a heat rating of 250,000 to 500,000 SHU and is considered one of the hottest peppers in the world. In fact, it’s one hundred times hotter than a jalapeno.
Caribbean Red Habanero. It has a floral flavor with smoky undertones.
White Habanero. A smaller pepper that is similar in heat and flavor to the other varieties.
Habanada. This variety has slightly wrinkled skin and juicy flesh. It’s also known as the heatless habanero because it contains no heat.
MOA Scotch Bonnet. MOA is the acronym for the Ministry of Agriculture in Jamaica. This pepper is fruity and sweet but extremely hot.
Scotch Bonnet Freeport. This variety originates from the Bahamas. It has a fruity but hot flavor.
Sweet Bonnet. This is a mildly hot variety with the same fruity flavor as the other scotch bonnet peppers.
Chocolate Scotch Bonnet. This is another very hot chili pepper with a more intense burn than the other varieties.
Bahamian Goat. This variety is very similar to the MOA scotch bonnet but is normally pale orange or slightly pink in color.

Do Habaneros and Scotch Bonnets Like the same Growing Conditions?

If you live in a warm climate, you can grow either one or both of these chili peppers quite successfully. They need minimum temperatures of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius).

Both plants are fairly similar and appreciate well-drained soil that has had plenty of organic matter added. The soil pH should be around 6 to 7. These peppers also appreciate being grown in full sun.

As these plants only reach a height of around 3 feet (90 cm) when fully grown, they are perfect for growing in pots. This is ideal if your area has quite hot summers, but temperatures drop too low in winter. This allows you to grow your habaneros or scotch bonnets outside in summer and bring them indoors once the temperature starts to drop.

Can Habanero and Scotch Bonnet Peppers be Interchanged in Recipes?

These two chili varieties can definitely be interchanged in various recipes. Although, you should be aware that there are subtle differences in the flavor, as you’ll find that the scotch bonnet is slightly fruitier and sweeter. But, once the heat hits your tongue, you’re unlikely to be able to taste the difference.