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 |
| 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 |
