Guntur Sannam is related to the Capsicum chinense species. Guntur Sannam chilli is the star chilli of Andhra Pradesh, responsible for the decadently spicy food of the state. This thick red-skinned chilli has high pungency and a distinctive fieriness. Local belief is that the smaller the chilli, the hotter it is. Thus, small Guntur chillies are used for heat, while larger ones are used for their taste. Some of the famous dishes using Guntur Sannam are Natu Kodi Kura (spicy Andhra chicken curry flavoured with coconut), Guntur Kodi Vepudu (chicken fry) and MamsamPulusu (a spicy mutton recipe).

It accounts for around 30% of India’s chilli exports and is mainly traded in Guntur Mirchi Yard which is Asia’s largest dried red chilli market. S4 type is the most popular type of Guntur Sannam. Teja chilli is another fine variety of the same.

• Pungency: 35,000-40,000 SHU
• ASTA Color value: 32.11
• Capsaicin:  0.226%