Jixin (Chicken-Heart) Chilli
The chicken-heart chilli — a small, heart-shaped extra-hot pod at 50,000–70,000 SHU from Guizhou and Hunan. The standard for extreme-heat products and Sichuan-style dishes.
What is Jixin chilli?
Jixin, meaning "chicken heart", is named for its small heart-shaped pod. It sits at the top of the common Chinese chilli heat scale at 50,000–70,000 SHU, above the high-heat band — which is why it is dosed as an accent rather than a base. See the extra hot page for how it fits the 50,000+ band.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Heat (SHU) | 50,000 – 70,000 |
| Region | Guizhou, Hunan |
| Fruit type | Small, heart-shaped pod |
| Best for | Extreme heat, chilli oil, Sichuan dishes |
What is Jixin pepper used for?
- Chilli oil and infused oil
- Sichuan-style and hot-pot dishes
- Extreme-heat seasoning blends
- Snack and instant-noodle heat packs
Jixin vs Xiaomi: oil or whole pod
Jixin and Xiaomi are both extra-hot at 50,000–70,000 SHU, but they are used differently. Jixin's small heart-shaped pod is the standard for chilli oil and Sichuan-style dishes, where heat is extracted into a base. Xiaomi's slender millet pod stays visible whole in a finished dish. Choose Jixin for extracted heat; choose Xiaomi when the pod itself is part of the presentation.
How to specify Jixin chilli
Name the variety and your target SHU window, then the form — Jixin is commonly supplied as segments or powder. Because heat is non-linear, a small dose of Jixin moves a blend's heat far more than the same weight of a medium chilli, so dose by weight and confirm the window precisely.
Heat values are representative per variety. Confirm your exact SHU window and form when you inquire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jixin chilli?
Jixin, the chicken-heart chilli, is a small heart-shaped extra-hot pod at 50,000–70,000 SHU from Guizhou and Hunan. It is a standard for extreme-heat products and Sichuan-style dishes.
How hot is Jixin pepper?
Jixin is extra-hot at 50,000–70,000 SHU — among the hottest common Chinese chillies, above the high-heat Sanying and Zidantou band and used where extreme heat is the point.
What is Jixin pepper used for?
Jixin is used for extreme-heat products: chilli oil, Sichuan-style dishes, hot-pot bases and seasoning where a small dose must deliver strong heat. Dose it by weight because heat is non-linear.