The pepper has a Scoville scale rating of 10,000-23,000 SHU depending on cultivation and preparation, making it more spicy than the jalapeño. The peter pepper has both ornamental and culinary use. Common uses include pickling, salsa, and chili pepper.
 
Peter peppers are comparable to jalapeno peppers in flavor, with a vegetal taste, though they can be fruitier and can be quite a bit hotter. Their flavor profile deepens their inherent sweetness when roasted, making them an excellent choice for sauces and hot sauces with a spicier kick to them.