Scotch bonnet
Also spelled: Scotch bonnet pepper, Scatch bonnet
Meaning
A small, extremely hot chilli pepper with a wrinkled, lobed shape resembling a tam, central to Jamaican cooking. More than a generic hot pepper, it carries a distinctive fruity, floral aroma that defines jerk seasoning and pepper sauces, so it is prized for flavour and not only heat.
Examples
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“Nuh put too much scotch bonnet inna di pot, it a go bun wi.”
Don't put too much scotch bonnet in the pot, it's going to burn us.
'A go' marks future; 'bun' means burn in the sense of intense spiciness.
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“Di jerk nuh taste right widout scotch bonnet.”
The jerk doesn't taste right without scotch bonnet.
Emphasises the pepper as essential to authentic jerk flavour.
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“Mi buy a bag a scotch bonnet fi mek pepper sauce.”
I bought a bag of scotch bonnets to make pepper sauce.
'Fi mek' means 'to make'; note the singular form used collectively.
Origin
English name, so called because the pepper's shape resembles a Scottish tam o' shanter bonnet. The pepper itself is native to the Caribbean and West Africa within the Capsicum chinense species.
How it's used
Everyday kitchen term. Cooks often add the whole pepper to a pot and remove it before it bursts, releasing aroma without overwhelming heat. Frequently confused abroad with the milder, similar-looking habanero.