Nauru

Nauru has almost no commercial pepper industry; agriculture is limited by poor soils and small land area. Hot peppers are grown mostly in home gardens using imported seed—typically bird’s eye chili, long green chilies similar to cayenne, and sometimes jalapeño or Thai-type chilies.

These chilies are used to liven up fish, instant noodles, canned meats, and rice dishes, often chopped with soy sauce, lime, or vinegar as quick condiments. Virtually all processed chili products—sriracha, generic “chili sauce,” Indonesian sambals—are imported from Australia and Asia, and there is no notable export of peppers from Nauru.

Local chilies contribute fresh, piercing heat to everyday meals but do not (yet) play a significant economic role.