Malagueta pepper

The Malagueta pepper is a popular chili pepper known for its intense heat. It is a staple in the kitchens of Brazil, the Caribbean, Portugal, Mozambique, Angola, and São Tomé and Príncipe. In particular, this pepper is highly prized in Brazil's Bahia state for its fiery spice.

Malagueta peppers are small and tapered, typically growing to about 5 cm in length. On the Scoville scale, which measures the heat of chili peppers, Malagueta ranges from 60,000 to 100,000 units. When you visit markets, you might encounter two sizes of this pepper: the smaller ones are often referred to as "malaguetinha" while the larger ones retain the name "malagueta."

The Malagueta pepper has an intriguing history. Portuguese navigators introduced it to Europe during the Columbian Exchange. From there, it spread to various parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Today, it is an essential ingredient in many regional cuisines.

In Brazil and Mozambique, Malagueta peppers are used to spice up local dishes and sauces. In Portugal, they are a key seasoning for poultry dishes. You will also find them in the popular piri-piri sauce in both São Tomé and Príncipe and Portugal. In the Dominican Republic, Malagueta is combined with allspice to create a blend known as pimenta dioica.

This pepper has even permeated popular culture. For instance, in the movie "Woman on Top" the character Isabella uses Malagueta peppers in her Afro-Brazilian dishes, highlighting their versatility and significance.