This is a great looking and tasting variety a habanero type. Plants have black stems and leaf with green and black. Pods start out purple or green with purple/black and ripen to purple/black before red. Pods are medium to large sized with very good flavor. Pods have medium walls and dry out good for powder. Powder from ripe pods is a really nice dark red color 

Capsicum Chinense 

SHU 150,000 

APS PRETTY BLACK HABANERO - The Dark Elegance

**Basic Info**  

Species: *Capsicum chinense*  

Origin: Atlantic Pepper Seeds (APS) breeding program  

Heat: Very Hot (150,000 SHU)  

Type: Black/purple-ripening habanero variety  

**Story**  

The APS Pretty Black Habanero is a visually captivating variety that redefines the classic habanero with its dramatic color transformation. Unlike traditional habaneros that ripen to bright orange or red, this variety transitions through purple and black hues, creating a stunning visual display that is as elegant as it is potent.  

What makes this variety particularly special is its unique ripening pattern. The pods start out purple or green with purple/black streaks, then mature to a deep, almost black color before finally turning red at peak ripeness. This progression offers multiple harvest windows, each with slightly different flavor and heat characteristics. The black stems and variegated green-and-black leaves add to the ornamental value, making the plant a showstopper in any garden.  

At 150,000 SHU, the Pretty Black Habanero delivers the signature habanero heat - intense, slow-building, and all-encompassing. But it's the flavor that truly sets it apart. The 'very good flavor' noted by APS suggests a complex profile with the fruity, floral notes characteristic of habaneros, perhaps with additional depth from the anthocyanin pigments that create the black coloration.  

In culinary applications, this variety excels in multiple formats. The medium walls make it suitable for fresh use in salsas where the dark color creates a dramatic contrast. When dried, the pods produce a 'really nice dark red color' powder, adding both heat and visual intrigue to spice blends. The black color also makes it ideal for specialty hot sauces where appearance matters as much as heat.  

For gardeners, the Pretty Black Habanero offers the dual pleasure of ornamental beauty and culinary utility. The plant grows vigorously, producing medium to large pods that dry exceptionally well. Its adaptability to container growing and cool climates makes it accessible to a wide range of growers.  

**Plant**  

Medium to large, black stems, variegated green-and-black foliage.  

**Pods**  

Medium to large, purple/black when ripe, transitions to red.  

**Flavor**  

Very good, fruity, floral with classic habanero heat.  

**Kitchen**  

Fresh salsas, drying for dark powder, specialty sauces.  

**Growing Tips**  

- 90-110 days to maturity  

- Full sun (6-8 hours)  

- Warm climate, zones 9-11  

- Well-draining soil  

**Culinary Uses**  

- Fresh in dark-colored salsas  

- Dried for dark red powder  

- Specialty hot sauce production  

**Common Questions**  

Q: What heat level is it?  

A: Very Hot at 150,000 SHU.  

Q: Why is it black?  

A: Anthocyanin pigments create dark coloration.  

Q: Best for drying?  

A: Yes, produces dark red powder with great color.  

Q: Can it grow in pots?  

A: Yes, excellent for container growing.  

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