Capsicum annuum

Name results from northern latitude growers treating this species as an "annual" growing plant, (even thought the plant is a perennial). It has two non-pungent (non-hot) forms; the Bell, and the Wax and the Pimento peppers, as well as the hot form; the Jalapeno and the NuMex, that are present throughout much of the world. Evidence suggests that Capsicum annuum originally appeared in northern Latin America. They are believed to have been grown domestically in the Mexico area from around 2,500 B.C. As a result of the travels of Christopher Columbus, Capsicum annuum seeds were taken from the area and planted back in the then colonies of Spain and Portugal.

Pronounced 'ANN-you-um'. 

Name

Origin

Description

Seeds Available

Alma Paprika Hungary Also known as Hot Apple and Hungarian Paprika. Fruit 1.5 to 2 inches long by 1.75 to 2.25 inches wide with very thick flesh, crunchy with lingering mild sweet heat. Matures from white/yellow to  orange to red. Upright pods, green leaves, 12 to 18 inches tall, early season. Uses: Hungarian Cuisine, Paprika, small stuffing.

Heat Level : 1-2

15 seeds for $3.00
Atomic Heart Australia

If you like chillies that are large, crisp, meaty and crunchy, then this is the one for you. The pods grow up to 5cm long and have a distinct heart shape with smooth glossy red skin at maturity, without an overpowering heat. An ideal variety for making fresh salsas. Great for stuffing or pickling.

Heat Level : 5

15 seeds for $3.00
Aussie Black Australia This is a rare Australian hybrid ornamental. The fruit grows upright and the pods can be either black or green eventually turning red.

Heat Level : 5

15 seeds for $3.00
Black Pearl USA This is a very nice compact, bushy ornamental variety developed by arboretum Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit scientists Rob Griesbach and John Stommel of the Agricultural Research Service’s Vegetable Laboratory. The plant grows about 14 to 18 inches tall and 12 to 16 inches wide and sets masses of 1/2-inch small round 'pearl shaped' pods which ripens from black to a rich, deep red.

Heat Level : 7-8

15 seeds for $3.00

 

Bolivian Rainbow Bolivia Grown for centuries in Bolivia, this stunning ornamental 2-3ft purple flowering plant produces hundreds of ¾" long by ½" wide upright growing edible peppers. The peppers are shaped like small bullets and mature through various shades of purple to yellows, oranges and finally to bright red when ripe. The full rainbow of colours are present at the same time. Although the fruits are highly ornamental, they are also very pungent so care should be taken when fruits are handled. Probably one of the best choices for those seeking to brightening up the patio or garden. Seeds  germinated.

Heat Level : 5

Seeds not available

 

Cascabel Mexico The word means rattle and it is one of Mexico's more intriguing chillies. It is more readily available dried, when its seeds rattle when shaken. The Cascabel measures 2.5-4 cm in diameter. With its deep reddish-brown colour and its slightly bitter tannic flavour, it looks and tastes good in virtually any dish. The Cascabel chilli is also known as Chile Bola. A type of Mirasol pepper. Seeds germinated

Heat level : 4

Seeds not available
Cayenna Italy From Calabria, Italy. Seeds acquired in a swap from Italy. Seeds  germinated awaiting fruit.

Heat Level : ?

Seeds not available
Chervena Chushka Bulgaria Bulgarian heirloom, traditionally used for roasting but also a great sweet capsicum. Flesh is bright-red and very sweet, almost candy-like. Tapered fruits that are 2 inches at the shoulder by 6 inches long, ripen from green to brown to bright red.

Heat Level : 0

Seeds not available
Chicken Heart Holland Also known as HinkleHatz. Very hot 1 inch long by 3/4 inch wide. Pendant fruits are said to resemble the shape of a chicken heart. Pods usually mature to red, though sometimes yellow. Rare Pennsylvania Dutch heirloom. Dates to pre-1880.

Heat Level : Hot

Seeds not available
Czechoslovakian Black Czechoslovakia A productive 80 cm bush yielding many 5 cm peppers. These start dark green (almost black), but turn red after 65 days when ripened. Only mildly hot and shaped like a Jalapeno. European heirloom variety. Seeds acquired in a swap. Seeds germinated.

Heat Level : Mild

Seeds not available
Goat Horn Turkey Long thin and curly 9-10 inch fruit give this chilli it's name. Ripens from green to shiny red.

Heat Level : 6-7

15 seeds for $3.00
Goat's Weed Venezuela The Goat's Weed is a long lived perennial. Erect fruit changes from green to black to a fluorescent red when ripe. The flavour is savoury spice without being fruity. Extremely hardy plant. Its foliage is tight, and bears dark and mid olive green leaves with a pubescens-like silver fuzz on the stems and the under leaf. Its appearance is striking, particularly as the green, black and red fruit are present together all year round. Very heavy producer. Should grow up to four foot high, with a two foot width.

Heat Level : 9

15 seeds for $3.00
Guajillo Mexico Meaning 'little gourd'. The Guajillo is a beautiful russet red, translucent, thin-walled dried chilli, measuring between 10-15 cm in length and between 2.5-3.25 cm in width. Guajillo's grow upright, earning themselves an alternative name Mirasol (i.e. looking at the sun). Its delicate flavour makes it a favourite, especially for colouring, in all forms of New World cooking.

Heat level : 2-4

15 seeds for $3.00

Hot Portugal

Portugal Good yielding plant. Anaheim variety. From Portugal. 6-7 inch long tapered pods ripen to a scarlet colour. 

Heat Level : 5

15 seeds for $3.00
Jalapeno Mexico

The famous Jalapeno from Mexico. 2 to 3 inches long, thick fleshed fruit starts out green turning red as it matures.  Usually picked green. Fruit with veins are slightly hotter. Great pickled or stuffed.

Heat Level : 5

15 seeds for $3.00
Jalapeno - Giant Mexico Larger than the standard Jalapeno.

Heat Level : 5

15 seeds for $3.00
Jalapeno - Purple Mexico Seeds acquired in a swap from Italy. Seeds germinated awaiting fruit.

Heat Level : 5

Seeds not available
Jaloro USA 2 to 3 inches long. Jalapeno type maturing from pale yellow to orange to red. Resistant to 6 viruses. From Texas. Uses: fresh salsas, Mexican cuisine, canning/processing. Nicer flavour than the standard Jalapeno.

Heat Level : 5-6

15 seeds for $3.00
Jimmy Nardello's Italy/USA Brought to the U.S. in 1887 by Guiseppe Nardello from the small village of Ruoti in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. It takes the name from its seed saver Jimmy Nardello who brought the seeds while he was immigrating to Connecticut in 1887. This sweet capsicum matures in 80-90 days from transplant. The fruits are 10-12 inches long and the plants can reach 2 feet. The Jimmy Nardello's capsicum is considered one of the very best for frying.

Heat Level : 0

15 seeds for $3.00
Morpeth Marbles Australia

Tiny 1 cm round fruit ripen from green to shiny red. Prolific producer. Sensational bite size pods burst into flavour in the mouth. Great flavour and heat. One of my favourites.

Heat Level : 7-8

15 seeds for $3.00
Mushroom Red -

Also known as Red Squash. This shapely annuum is quite the beauty, approximately 1.5 to 2 inch pods that grow on a medium plant. Makes a great Thai sweet chilli sauce.

Heat Level : 4-5

15 seeds for $3.00
Mushroom Yellow - Also known as Yellow Squash.  Just as shapely as the Red Mushroom, but this pod has some heat and a wonderful fruity flavour.  Ripens from green to a sunshine yellow. Sometimes mistaken for a Scotch Bonnet.  This 2 inch pod packs a medium heat and grows on a medium size plant.  A pod of many purposes...eat fresh, in salads and pickle for fun! Excellent stuffed and roasted.

Heat Level : 5-6

15 seeds for $3.00
Naso di Cane Italy This chilli is from Italy. Naso di Cane translates as Nose of Dog (Dog's Nose). Thick sweet juicy fleshed erect pods grow to 5-6cm in length. Ideal to eat fresh, but also good for stuffing and pickling.

Heat Level : 5

15 seeds for $3.00
Numex Big Jim USA This New Mexico cultivar is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest chilli.  It produces 12 inch long, thick, smooth, red fleshy fruits.  Because of the large pods, the cultivar is a favourite of home gardeners and cooks for making chilli rellenos.  Pungency though is variable from plant to plant.

Heat Level : 4-6

15 seeds for $3.00
Pitanga Brazil Tall branching plant produces lots of fruit. Round 1/2 inch flattish erect pods ripen from green to bright red. Lovely bite size morsels with medium heat and nice flavour.

Heat level : 5

15 seeds for $3.00
Poblano Mexico

The Poblano originated near the city of Pueblo, southeast of Mexico City. It is one of the most popular cultivars in that country. The fruit is undulating and more or less triangular in shape. The flesh is moderately thick, but not as thick as the capsicum, therefore it dries well. When dried, Poblanos are known as anchos and mulatos. Fresh, green Poblanos are always used cooked or roasted, and are never eaten raw. They are used for stuffing as rellenos, in strips or rajas, or in soups and sauces.

Heat Level : 3

Seeds not available
Royal Black Cambodia Tasty, hot and elegant 'Royal Black' makes a beautiful backdrop in any flower bed. The foliage and stems are dark-purple, almost black and have a strong oriental quality with an occasional variegated growing tip of green, purple, and creamy white. The bullet shaped 1 inch long by 1/4 inch wide pods start off upright before gravity takes it course. They are initially a very dark purple/black before ripening to red. When ripe they add a further accent to this stunning plant, appearing like crown jewels on a botanical tapestry of deep purple.

Heat Level : 9

15 seeds for $3.00
Suelin India This chilli grows into a bushy plant up to 1.5 metres high. The pendent 11-12 cm fruit ripen from green to red.  The plant produces lots of fruit with nice flavour.

Heat Level : 5

15 seeds for $3.00

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