Thai Bird Eye Chilli: A Small Chilli With Big Heat

Hey, you like spicy? Have you ever tasted Thai food and wondered what gives it that fiery kick? The answer is often the Thai bird eye chilli. These small but powerful chillies are a key part of Thai cooking. They add heat, colour, and flavour to many dishes. But there’s more to them than just spice.

In this post, you’ll learn what Thai bird eye chillies are, how they’re used in cooking, where they come from, how hot they are, and why they matter in Thai culture and food.

What Is a Thai Bird Eye Chilli?

Thai bird eye chillies are small, slender chillies known for their intense heat and bold flavour. Widely used in Thai cooking, they rate between 50,000 and 100,000 Scoville Heat Units, making them much hotter than jalapeños. These fiery chillies add spice to dishes like papaya salad, green curry, and spicy stir-fries, and are a key ingredient in Thai cuisine.

Thai bird eye chillies, sometimes called “prik kee noo” in Thai, are small, thin, and pointy chillies. They grow to about 2–4 cm long and can be red, green, or orange when ripe. Despite their size, they are very hot.

These chillies are part of the species Capsicum annuum or Capsicum frutescens, depending on variety. The name “bird eye” comes from their shape and the fact that birds, who are not affected by chilli heat, often eat and spread their seeds.

Where Do Thai Bird Eye Chillies Come From?

Chillies are not native to Thailand. They were brought from the Americas by Portuguese traders over 400 years ago. Thai farmers adopted them quickly, and over time, the chillies adapted to the local climate and farming styles.

Now, Thai bird eye chillies are grown all over Thailand. They thrive in hot weather and well-drained soil. You can find them in local markets, dried or fresh, and sometimes even growing in gardens, pots outside Thai homes and kitchen gardens.

How Hot Are Thai Bird Eye Chillies on the Scoville Scale?

On the Scoville scale, which measures chilli heat, Thai bird eye chillies range from 50,000 to 100,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). That makes them hotter than jalapeños and milder than habaneros.

Heat levels can vary depending on how ripe the chilli is, how much water they get when growing, how it’s cooked, and how much is used. Green chillies are slightly less hot than red ones, but still pack a punch.

If you are not used to spicy food, start with a small amount and build your tolerance slowly.

How Are They Used in Thai Cooking?

Thai bird eye chillies are a basic ingredient in Thai kitchens. They are used fresh, dried, or ground into pastes. Here are some common ways they are used:

• Fresh in salads like som tam (papaya salad)
• Crushed into sauces like nam prik (spicy chilli dips)
• Sliced into stir-fries for heat and colour
• Pounded in curry pastes with garlic, lemongrass, and herbs
• Soaked in fish sauce to make a dipping sauce (prik nam pla)

They add more than just heat. They also give a bright, sharp flavour that cuts through rich or oily food.

Are Thai Bird Eye Chillies Good for You?

Yes, in small amounts, they can be healthy. Chillies contain capsaicin, which gives them their heat. Capsaicin may help with pain relief, digestion, and metabolism.

Thai bird eye chillies also have vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidants. These help support the immune system and fight free radicals.

However, too much can cause discomfort or stomach upset. Always wash your hands after handling them and avoid touching your face or eyes (or learn the hard way like I did, 55).

How to Grow Thai Bird Eye Chillies

These chillies grow well in warm weather. They can be easily grown in pots or directly in the ground. Here’s a simple way to grow them:

• Plant seeds in small pots with good soil
• Keep in sunlight and water lightly each day
• Transplant to bigger pots or the garden when about 10 cm tall
• Pick chillies once they turn red or the desired colour

They grow fast and produce many fruits. You can dry extra chillies or freeze them for later use.

Thai Bird’s Eye Chilli – Where to Buy

If you don’t have the time to grow your own Bird’s eye chillis, you can buy them from most local Thai markets and supermarkets. Price varies on a number of factors, but you’ll usually find them between 70 and 140 Thai Baht per kg with the average price of 120 Baht per kg. However, back in June of 2024 the market was running hot and prices hit 350 Baht per kg. No doubt, there was a lot of happy chilli farmers.

FAQs

How spicy is Thai bird eye chilli compared to others?

Thai bird eye chillies score between 50,000 to 100,000 SHU on the Scoville scale. They are about 10 to 20 times hotter than jalapeños, but not as hot as ghost peppers or habaneros.

Can I reduce the heat when cooking with Thai bird eye chillies?

Yes. You can remove the seeds and inner membrane to reduce the heat. You can also use fewer chillies or cook them longer to mellow the spice.

What dishes use Thai bird eye chillies?

Popular dishes include tom yum soup, pad kra pao, som tam, green curry, and dipping sauces like prik nam pla. They are used to add heat and balance flavour.

Are Thai bird eye chillies and regular bird’s eye chillies the same?

They are similar but not exactly the same. Thai bird eye chillies refer to the varieties grown in Thailand. Other regions have their own versions with slightly different heat and flavour.

Can I buy Thai bird eye chillies outside Thailand?

Yes. Many Asian grocery shops stock them fresh, dried, or frozen. You can also find seeds or plants for growing at home from online stores.

Do birds really eat bird eye chillies?

Yes. Birds do not react to capsaicin, the compound that causes heat in humans. They often eat the chillies and help spread the seeds through their droppings.

In Summary

The Thai bird eye chilli may be small, but it has a big place in Thai cooking and culture. It brings heat, flavour, and colour to many dishes, from salads to soups to curries. It’s a key part of what makes Thai food unique.

These chillies are more than just a source of spice. They are easy to grow, rich in nutrients, and full of character. Whether you cook Thai food often or just want to try something new, adding bird eye chillies can give your meals an exciting twist.

If you are careful with the heat and enjoy strong flavours, Thai bird eye chillies are worth a try.

Thai Bird Eye Chilli: A Small Chilli With Big Heat