Fresh Chili from Vietnam: High Quality Product of HAVIGO

We are HAVIGO, a business that specializes in exporting agricultural products. We have been exporting many Vietnamese agricultural products, including fresh chili, at the most competitive price on the market. Let’s explore one of our top-selling products in this post: fresh chili from Vietnam.

1. Growing Chili Peppers in Vietnam

Chilies thrive in warm, sunny weather. They can be grown year-round. However, the best time is during the dry season, which runs from September to April. Because there is less rain, there is a lower risk of diseases affecting plants. Chilies also prefer well-drained, sandy soil, which allows water to drain easily and keeps the roots from rotting. 

It’s not too hard to grow chili plants. Growing chilies starts with planting seeds in trays. After a few weeks, when the seedlings reach a good size, farmers carefully transplant them into fields. Farmers need to make sure the plants get enough water and sunlight.  Besides, some may use fertilizers to help them grow even better. However, many farmers also like to use organic methods, without any chemicals.

Dong Thap – The biggest growing region

Known as the “King of Chili” in Vietnam, Dong Thap province is one of the largest chili cultivation areas. The ideal conditions for small chili crops include fertile alluvial soil, mudflats, and many islets.

Initially, the cultivation area was small, however it has expanded to approximately 1,800 hectares. The chili harvest season typically runs from October to April, with an impressive output of around 25,000 tons per crop.

Vietnamese chili grown here is often small, with a fiery red color and intense spiciness. It thrives in the island soil and adapts well to year-round cultivation, especially during the dry season.

After harvesting, skilled teams classify the chili. High-quality fresh chili is exported to Malaysia, Dubai, China…, while the rest serves domestic consumption.

2. Kinds of fresh Chili from Vietnam

Bird’s Eye Chili – Perilous Chili Pepper (Ớt Mắt Chim)

In Dong Thap province (a high-yield chili-growing region) of the Mekong Delta, the fertile plains are full of sunshine. It provides fertile ground for another popular variety – the Mat Chim (Bird’s Eye) chili. As its name, this chili resembles a tiny bird’s eye with its vibrant red color and pointed shape. Despite its diminutive size, the Mat Chim delivers a sharp spiciness balanced by intriguing citrusy undertones, making it a favorite for adding a quick burst of flavor to fresh salads and seafood dishes.

Celestial Chili Pepper (Ớt Chỉ Thiên)

Celestial chili pepper is a type of chili whose fruits all face the sky. This is a very spicy variety. This chili is not picky about growing soil, but it is best to plant in alluvial or plain soil with quite fertile and well-drained. It can provide chili year-round, and farmers can harvest after 80 days of planting. Not only a spice, chili pepper is also known as a plant with many medicinal uses. Vietnamese celestial chili peppers reach 100,000 – 250,000 degrees SHU. At levels above 100,000, chili peppers reach a level of spiciness to the point of explosion.

Golden Horn Chili Pepper (Ớt Sừng Vàng)

Golden horn chili (also known as Ba Tri chili) originates from Africa. Chili peppers are shaped like buffalo horns, about 12 – 15cm long, and have flat smooth skin. When young, chili peppers are green-white, when they are old, they gradually turn orange and then ripen to bright red, not dark red like normal chili peppers. Golden horn chili has a moderately spicy, mild and sweet taste. This type of chili contains high levels of vitamin C, which helps increase resistance, prevent oxidation, protect the heart, or prevent cancer…

Cayenne Chili Pepper (Ớt Chỉ Địa)

Cayenne peppers are tapering, 10 to 25 cm long, generally skinny, mostly red-colored peppers. These chilies often have a curved tip and somewhat rippled skin. They hang from the bush as opposed to growing upright. Most varieties are generally rated at 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville units. People use Cayenne peppers in various culinary dishes and also use them for making chili powder and sauces. Their quick harvest cycle and adaptability make them a preferred choice for many Vietnamese farmers.

Summary of kinds of fresh Chili from Vietnam

	Perilous Chili Pepper	Celestial Chili Pepper	Golden Horn Chili Pepper	Cayenne Chili Pepper
Length	1.5 – 3 cm	5 – 6 cm	9 – 15 cm	14 – 22 cm
Diameter	0.2 – 0.5 cm	0.8 – 1.0 cm	1 – 1.5 cm	0.8 – 1.8 cm
Weight	1 – 3 grams	4.0 – 4.2 grams	8 – 10 grams	10 – 20 grams
Harvest time	75 – 80 days	40 – 50 days	75 – 80 days	60 – 90 days
Yield	–	20 – 30 tons/ha	25 – 40 tons/ha	20 – 30 tons/ha
Spiciness	100,000 – 225,000 SHU	100,000 – 225,000 SHU	30,000 – 50,000 SHU	30,000–50,000 SHU
Distinctive traits	Small fruits, sharp and refreshing taste	Small fruits, a sharp and refreshing taste	Long, blocky fruits with thick flesh and smooth skin	Large, elongated fruits with thick flesh and bright skin

3. Factors affect the shelf life of Fresh Chili

A combination of internal and external factors influences the shelf life of fresh chili. First, let’s discover the internal factors

• Variety: Different chili pepper varieties exhibit varying shelf lives. This is due to the genetic makeup and thickness of the chili.
• Maturity: Ripe chilies generally have a shorter shelf life than unripe ones.
• Disorders: Diseases and pests can significantly reduce the shelf life of chili peppers.

Now, let’s discover the external factors affacting how long can fresh chilies last.

• Temperature: Chilies are best stored at cool temperatures, typically between 7°C (45°F) and 10°C (50°F).
• Humidity: High humidity can promote mold growth, while low humidity can lead to shriveling.
• Atmosphere: Ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone, can accelerate ripening and shorten shelf life. Therefore, keep fresh chili away from ripe fruits.
• Handling: Proper harvesting, sorting, and packaging techniques are essential to minimize damage and maintain quality.

4. How to store Fresh Chili

The first step to long-lasting chili freshness is selecting the right ones. You should select firm, unblemished chilies that are free of bruises and soft spots. Also, avoid those that are overly ripe, as they may spoil more quickly.

Then, you need to clean and dry the chilies. By following these steps, it helps for better storage. Gently wash the chilies under running water to remove dirt and debris. Then, thoroughly dry the chilies with a clean kitchen towel to prevent mold and bacteria growth.

Chili can be stored for an extended period of time in a cool, dry place, such as the refrigerator. Store the fresh chilies in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Then, store them in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer, where the temperature and humidity are relatively consistent. Chilies can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks. However, keep chilies away from ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables such as apples, bananas, and tomatoes, as ethylene can speed up ripening and spoilage. 

For a longer period of time, consider freezing. Frozen chilies can keep for several months. Here are some guidelines for freezing chili. Blanch the chilies before freezing to ensure the best color and texture retention. They will be briefly immersed in boiling water before being shocked with ice water. Once blanched and cooled, place the chilies in airtight freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Then, store the bags in the freezer. It can keep chili fresh for an extended period of time. 

About us

Havigo Company Limited operates in the field of agricultural export. We wish to bring high-quality Vietnamese agricultural products such as spices, rice, beans, and fruits… to the world. We supply you with high-quality products at the best price. If you find interested in importing fresh Chili from Vietnam, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for better support via WhatsApp: +84 979 58 58 56.

We are confident in our ability to deliver products that consistently meet the highest quality standards while offering competitive pricing within the market. Furthermore, we are committed to providing exceptional customer support throughout your entire experience. Please contact us for better support via WhatsApp: +84 979 58 58 56.