Orange Lantern – a glowing chilli with fruity heat
What makes Orange Lantern special
Orange Lantern is a habanero-like chilli with strong fruitiness and a beautiful, glowing orange colour. It is both hot and decorative, with drop-shaped pods that hang like lanterns on the plant. You could say this is the Orange variant of Habanero Lemon
Background and name
The variety originates in the Netherlands, but is inspired by Caribbean habaneros. The name comes from the shape and colour of the pods – like little orange lanterns.
Appearance and growth habit
The plant is compact and bushy, about 40–60 cm tall. The pods are about 4 cm long and 3 cm wide, ripening to a clear orange. Perfect for a pot or greenhouse.
Estimated Scoville heat
Approx. 150,000 – 250,000 SHU
Flavour and uses
Fresh, tropical flavour with clear heat. Excellent in hot sauces, tropical chutneys or for seasoning fruity dishes. Also good dried to an orange chilli powder.
Ways to use Orange Lantern
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Combine with mango or pineapple
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Make a pretty chilli powder
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Ferment into a fruity chilli sauce
How to grow Orange Lantern
Orange Lantern belongs to Capsicum chinense. Sow your chilli seeds between January and March. It is a little slow to start, but rewards you with a generous harvest and vigorous growth. Does best in a greenhouse or a warm spot with plenty of light.
The price is for 6 chilli seeds
Sow in moist seed compost and keep warm, at about 25–30°C for best germination The compost should be moist but not wet. A propagator helps to keep the air humid. Once the seedlings have grown a little and developed their second pair of leaves, you can lower the temperature to about 20°C and take them out of the propagator. They do well on a sunny windowsill, in a greenhouse and outdoors in summer. For best results, soak the seeds in Growhelper for 12–24 hours before sowing.
