Pepper/chilli that is hotter when green

[Babru]

For the first time I grew a chilli called Beaver Dam which I had seen recommended on Beechgrove as a good producer of large, extremely mild chillies. I've had mixed success with peppers in the greenhouse, so this variety seemed worth a try.

Sowed in February, the plants grew well with some big pointed fruit, maybe 6 inches long. Picked red, they ate just like a red pepper. In the last week or two I've been picking the green ones, and they aren't mild at all! Not blowing my head off, but enough to give a hit.

I've never heard of chillies being hotter before they're ripe. Am I wrong?

[ameno]

I never found this when I grew Beaver Dam. Perhaps your plants aren't getting enough water now, late in the season? The plants being stressed will cause the fruit to become hotter.

[Babru]

Perhaps that's it ameno. I didn't pick any green ones till towards the end.

I was chopping one up to put in the dinner and accidentally touched my lips - eek! Good job it wasn't my eye.