The Bangalore Torpedo (Capsicum annuum) is a striking Indian chilli variety known for its long, slender, and tapering pods, often compared to a torpedo or bullet shape—hence its name. It’s a moderately hot chilli with a sharp, clean heat and a slightly tangy, grassy flavour that makes it popular in Indian cuisine, especially in curries, pickles, and chutneys.
The Bangalore Torpedo chilli pepper is an outstanding Indian variety, prized for its high productivity, slender torpedo-shaped pods, and moderately hot, clean heat. With proper propagation and attentive care, it offers gardeners a reliable crop of attractive, versatile chillies that are equally suited to fresh use, pickling, or drying for spice blends.
| Quantity of Seeds |
10 seeds per packet |
| Origin |
India |
| Genus |
Capsicum Annuum |
| Scoville Rating/Heat Level |
Approximately 30,000–50,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) — moderately hot, similar to cayenne or slightly below Thai peppers.
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| Plant Size |
Typically 60–90 cm (2–3 feet) tall. Upright, bushy, and vigorous with well-branched stems. Medium-sized, dark green leaves. Small, white, star-shaped flowers. Very high-yielding; a single plant can produce dozens of long pods over the growing season. |
| Pod Size |
Long, narrow, and pointed pods, tapering to a sharp tip, resembling a torpedo. Pods typically measure 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) in length. Immature pods are pale green, ripening to a bright, glossy red when mature. Thin-walled and slightly crisp, making it excellent for drying. |
| Flavour |
One of our all time favourite tasting chillies that gives a distinct black pepper taste to dishes. Bright, sharp heat with a mild tang and subtle grassy notes; works well fresh, dried, or pickled. Commonly used in Indian curries, stir-fries, pickles, chutneys, and spice powders. Excellent for drying and grinding into a fine powder or using whole in hot oil tempering (tadka).
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| Growing Conditions |
Plant seeds about 0.5 cm (¼ inch) deep in a fine, well-draining seed-starting mix. Sow seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost. Optimal soil temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F). Maintain consistent moisture using a humidity dome or clear cover; avoid overwatering. Transplant seedlings when they have 4–6 true leaves and after the risk of frost has passed. Harden off plants for 7–10 days before moving outdoors. Space plants 45–60 cm (18–24 inches) apart in rows or garden beds. Water regularly, keeping soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings. Use a balanced fertilizer during vegetative growth; switch to a fertilizer higher in potassium and phosphorus at flowering to boost fruit set.
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All plants are grown on our farm in Norfolk, UK and are grown in an open pollinated area.
