Biosynthesis of capsaicinoids is a trait unique to the genus Capsicum. These compounds are the chemical basis of 'pungency' of peppers. The synthesis of capsaicinoids is a quantitatively inherited trait that is also responsive to environment. To define the genomic regions responsible for controlling synthesis of the three major capsaicinoids, capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin and nordihydrocapsaicin, a cross between high and low pungency pepper lines was used to build a genetic map.