Main fine varieties:

1. Dahongpao. Also called big red pepper, lion head pepper, and pimple pepper, it is the most cultivated and wide range of fine varieties. The tree of this variety is 3 to 5 meters tall during the fruiting period. It is vigorous, grows rapidly, has small branch angles, has a semi-open posture and a semi-circular crown. The new shoots of the current year are red, the annual branches are purple-brown, and the perennial branches are gray-brown. The base of the thorns is broad and thick, the apex is tapered, the leaves are broad and oval, the leaves are dark green, the leaves are thick and shiny, and the surface is smooth. The fruit matures from mid-August to early September. The mature fruit is bright red, with obvious warty gland protrusions on the surface. The fruit stalk is short, the fruit ear is tight, and the fruit particles are large, with a diameter of 5 to 6 mm. The fresh fruit weight is about 85 grams. It is easy to crack and has a short harvest period. The dried peel is rich red, has a strong numbing smell and is of high quality. Generally, 4 to 5 kilograms of fresh fruit can be used to make 1 kilogram of dried pepper peels.

Dahongpao Zanthoxylum bungeanum has high yield, likes fertilizer and is drought-resistant, but is not tolerant to water, moisture or cold. It is suitable for cultivation on terraces, mesas, slopes and valley terraces in arid mountainous and hilly areas with an altitude of 300 to 1800 meters. It is widely cultivated in Shaanxi, Gansu, Shanxi, Henan, Shandong and other provinces, and forms many different ecological types.

2. Big red pepper. Also known as Youjiao, Erhongpao, Erxingzi, etc. This variety has a tree height of 2.5 to 4.5 meters during the fruiting period, with large branch angles, an open posture, a medium vigor, and a rounded crown. The new shoots of the current year are green, the annual branches are brown-green, and the perennial branches are grey-brown. The base of the thorns is wide and flat, and the tips are short and blunt. As the branches age, they often fall off from the base. The leaves are wider, oval and oblong, larger in color, lighter in red, and smooth in surface. The fruit matures around mid-September. It is red when mature and has an oily luster. The warty gland spots are obvious on the surface. The fruit ears are loose, the fruit stalk is long and thick, and the fruit particles are medium and uniform in size, with a diameter of 4.5 to 5.0 mm. The weight of fresh fruit is about 70 grams. The sun-dried peel is red in color, thicker, has a rich numbing aroma, and is of high quality. Generally, 3.5 to 4.0 kilograms of fresh fruit can be used to dry 1 kilogram of dried pepper peels.

Big red pepper has high yield and stable yield. It likes fertilizer, tolerates moisture and has strong stress resistance. It is suitable for planting in arid mountainous areas, Sichuan and Taiwan areas and surrounding areas with an altitude of 1300 to 1700 meters. It is cultivated more in the northwest and north China provinces.

3. Small red pepper. Also called Xiaohongpao, Xiaojiaozi, rice pepper, horsetail pepper, etc. This variety has a tree height of 2 to 4 meters during the fruiting period, with large branch angles, an open posture, a medium vigor, and an oblate crown. The current-year branches are green with a slight reddish tint on the sunny side, the annual branches are brown-green, and the perennial branches are gray-green. The prickles are small, sparse and sharp. The leaves are small and thin, and the leaf color is light green. The fruit matures in early to mid-August and is bright red when mature. The fruit stalk is long, the ear is loose, the fruit particles are small and irregular in size, with a diameter of 4.0 to 4.5 mm. The weight of 1,000 fresh fruit is about 58 grams. The mature peel is easy to crack and the harvest period is short. The dried peel has a bright red color and a strong hemp aroma, especially the strong aroma and high quality. Generally, 3.0 to 3.5 kilograms of fresh fruit can be used to dry 1 kilogram of dried pepper peels.

The branches of small red pepper are thin and soft, easy to droop, have high germination rate and branch formation rate, and bear fruit early. However, the peel is easy to crack when the fruit matures, so the planting area should not be too large to avoid being unable to harvest in time, causing a large number of fruit drops and affecting the yield and quality. It is cultivated in Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi and other provinces, with more cultivation in the southeastern Shanxi region of Shanxi and the Taihang Mountains of Hebei.

4． White pepper. Also called white pepper and white satan. The tree height of this variety is 2.5 to 5.0 meters during the fruiting period. The current-year branches are green and white, the annual branches are light brown-green, and the perennial branches are gray-green. The prickles are large and sparse and often fall off at the base of perennial branches. The leaves are relatively wide and light green in color. The fruit matures in mid-to-late August and is light red when mature. The fruit stalk is long and the ears are loose. The fruit particles are medium in size. The weight of the fresh fruit is about 75 grams. After drying, the dried pepper skin is brown and numb. The fragrance is strong, but the color is poor. Generally, 3.5 to 4.0 kilograms of fresh fruit can be used to dry 1 kilogram of dried pepper peels.

White pepper has high yield and stable yield, but its skin color is poor and the market sales are not very good, so it should not be cultivated too much. It is more commonly cultivated in Shandong, Hebei, Henan and Shanxi.

5. Bean pepper. Also called white pepper. The tree height of this variety is 2.5 to 3.0 meters during the fruiting period, with large branch angles, an open posture, and strong tree vigor. The current-year branches are green and white, the annual branches are light brown-green, and the perennial branches are gray-brown. The base of the prickles is broad and the apex is blunt. The leaves are larger, light green, and oval. The fruit matures from late September to mid-October. The fruit stalk is thick and long, and the ear is loose. The fruit changes from green to green-white before maturity. The fruit has large particles, thick skin, and a diameter of 5.5 to 6.5 mm. The weight of 1,000 fresh fruit is about 91 grams. The fruit is light red when ripe and dark red after drying. The pepper skin is of medium quality. Generally, 4 to 6 kilograms of fresh fruit can be used to make 1 kilogram of dried pepper skin.

Bean pepper has strong resistance and high yield. It is cultivated in Gansu, Shanxi, Shaanxi and other provinces in the Yellow River Basin.

6. Qin'an No. 1. Also called the Big Lion Head, it is an individual variation type of Da Hongpao discovered by the Forestry Bureau of Qin'an County, Gansu Province in Huaimiao Village, Guojia Township, this county. The branch angle is small, the tree posture is semi-open, and the tree is strong. The branch characteristics are the same as those of Dahongpao. The leaves are wide and oval, with slightly sunken veins, wavy surface, and dark green color. The fruit matures from late August to early September. The fruit ear is large and compact, the fruit stalk is extremely short, and the fruit particles are large. The fresh fruit weighs about 88 grams per thousand kernels.

It is bright red when ripe, and the skin of the pepper is rich red after drying. It has a bright color, a strong numbing aroma, and is of high quality.

This type likes water and fertilizer, and is resistant to barrenness, drought, and cold. Suitable for cultivation in arid or semi-arid areas. At present, it is widely promoted in the production areas and introduced to surrounding provinces and autonomous regions.