Scoville Units: 175,000

African birdseye (or African devil or African red devil) is a cultivar of the chili pepper that grows both wild and domesticated. It is a small and extremely spicy member of the capsicum plant genus.

Some varieties of birdseye peppers measure up to 175,000 Scoville Heat Units.

Piri-piri, peri-peri or peli-peli is the name used in Mozambique and Angola to describe the African bird’s-eye chili. The variations in spelling derive from the various pronunciations of the word in parts of Africa, although “piri-piri” is the correct spelling in Portuguese.

In Mozambican cuisine, piri-piri is often used in preparing sauces and marinades for roast and grilled dishes, especially chicken and various fish. Piri-piri is widely used in a vast number of dishes of Portuguese cuisine.