Peppers! Flavor is the priority, not heat.

The Canary Bell was a beautiful yellow bell pepper that we decided to try this year.

Our take

The Carnival Blend Pepper is not a single variety of pepper, but rather a mix of brightly colored peppers that are grown for their vibrant colors and sweet flavors.

Originating from South America, this blend typically includes vibrant yellow, red, orange, and purple peppers. Specifically designed to bring a spectrum of colors to the table, this pepper mix is often used to enliven salads, stir-fries, pickles, and other culinary dishes. The Carnival Blend Pepper cultivars are mostly bell peppers or sweet pepper varieties. Each color in the blend represents a different stage of maturity and thus, a different flavor profile. Red peppers are usually fully mature, and the sweetest among the blend. Yellow and orange peppers have a slight tang, with the former being more mature. Lastly, the purple or chocolate colored peppers have a unique, slightly bitter undertone. Historically, these peppers were cultivated by South American natives, and they were the first to recognize the peppers' varying flavors at different stages of maturity. It wasn't until after Christopher Columbus’ voyages to the Americas in the 15th century that peppers were introduced to the rest of the world. They were soon embraced by cuisines worldwide for their color, flavor, and versatility. The Carnival Blend Pepper plants are easy to grow and have a reasonably short growing season, typically maturing in 65-75 days after transplantation. They are relatively compact but produce a generous amount of fruit. These peppers are not just favored for their culinary use but also for their decorative appeal in gardens and landscapes due to their jubilant colors, indeed living up to the name 'Carnival Blend'.

Overall, the Carnival Blend Pepper is a colorful mixture of different sweet pepper varieties that provide a dynamic color spectrum and a variety of flavors, paying homage to their South American roots while consistently finding a home in the gardens and kitchens of the world.

A staple for all who like hot peppers. Great flavor with the heat.

Cayenne peppers are a type of chili pepper known for their hot and spicy flavor with narrow, elongated pods that typically turn bright red when ripe.

Cayenne peppers belong to the Capsicum annuum species, which also includes other popular varieties of chili peppers such as jalapeños and sweet bell peppers.

They are named after the city of Cayenne, in French Guiana, where they are believed to have originated. Cayenne peppers have been cultivated and used in culinary dishes for thousands of years. Archaeologists have found evidence of their use dating back as far as 7000 to 6000 BCE in prehistoric cultures in the Americas. Cayenne peppers were introduced to the rest of the world after Christopher Columbus returned from his voyages to the New World in the 15th century. Upon his return, Columbus brought back a number of plants native to the Americas, including cayenne peppers. They quickly spread to different parts of the world with the assistance of Portuguese and Spanish traders, who valued them not only for their spiciness but also for their color, which made the peppers a sought-after commodity in the spice trade. They are commonly used in cooking for their pungent heat, but they are also recognized for their potential health benefits. From a nutritional standpoint, cayenne peppers are a rich source of vitamins C and E, as well as several beneficial flavonoids. They have been used in traditional medicine for centuries as a remedy for various ailments such as poor digestion and circulatory problems.

Today, cayenne peppers are grown and used worldwide, adding heat and flavor to a wide variety of dishes. Whether they are finely ground into a powder to make cayenne pepper spice, or used in their fresh or dried form, cayenne peppers continue to be a popular ingredient for culinary enthusiasts.

The Chocolate Beauty pepper is a brown variety bell pepper. It was unique enough to bring in this year.

The Chocolate Beauty pepper, also known as Capiscums, is a vibrant variant of bell pepper.

It is known for its unique, deep-brown hue, reminiscent of a chocolate bar, which it acquires when it is fully ripened. This sweet bell pepper offers a rich, subtly sweet flavor and is popularly used in a variety of dishes around the world.

Records of this rare cultivar are sparse. The origin of bell peppers traces back to Central and South America, with seeds from the pepper family dating back 6000 years. The development of the specific Chocolate Beauty pepper is unclear. However, they became popular in the early to mid-20th century when a larger range of bell pepper colors started being commercially produced. Peppers, in general, were spread across the world after Christopher Columbus returned to Europe from the New World, which introduced a whole range of previously unavailable food crops to the continent. However, it took centuries before the brown cultivars such as the Chocolate beauty emerged, likely as a product of cross-breeding for unique and more appealing colors.

While they may not be as common as the standard red, yellow, or green bell peppers, Chocolate Beauty peppers offer a distinctive aesthetic appeal and a different palette of flavors, which is highly appreciated by chefs and food lovers alike.

The Corbachi is one of our favorites for stir fry dishes. Longer than a cayenne but with the dright vibrant red color, it has little heat but plenty of flavor.

The Corbaci pepper, also known as the "Turkish snake pepper," is one of the most unusual and sweetest pepper varieties that originated from Turkey.

Its name was derived from the word 'çorbacı,' a Turkish term that means 'soup waiter', presumably because traditionally, the pepper was used in soups.

The Turkish people, who have been cultivating this pepper for centuries, consider it a very important part of their diet and culinary culture. The Corbaci pepper belongs to the Capsicum Annuum species, which includes bell peppers, jalapeños, and cayenne. It earns its "snake pepper" nickname for snaking spirals that can reach up to 12 to 24 inches long. The long, slender fruits twist into fascinating coils, adding to its visual appeal and justifying the snake pepper moniker. The corbaci pepper begins as a green color and as the pepper matures, they turn to a bright yellow and finally a vibrant red. Each color change indicates a different stage of ripeness and offers a unique flavor, with the sweetness significantly increasing as it turns red. In terms of cultivation, the corbaci pepper plant itself is quite robust and tolerant to various climates. It's a prolific yielder and has a relatively long harvest period, taking about 80–90 days from transplant and the peppers themselves can be harvested at either the yellow-ripe or red-ripe stage. The peppers are traditionally grown in the Aegean region of Turkey, where the plant thrives in the Mediterranean climate, and are annually celebrated during local food festivals. Today, the seeds have been collected and distributed globally, allowing gardeners and farmers across the world to grow it. In Turkish cuisine, corbaci peppers are often used in a variety of dishes, such as in soups, stews, and salads. Many prefer to use it at the yellow-ripe stage because of its subtle sweet flavor and crunchiness. Furthermore, these peppers are often pickled or preserved to extend their shelf life. Despite a relatively mild heat level, as evaluated on the Scoville Heat Scale, the corbaci pepper packs a flavorful punch. Its flavor profile is bright and sweet, with a mild level of heat that's below jalapenos, making it popular for those with mild spice tolerance. In conclusion, the corbaci pepper holds significant historical and cultural value, particularly in Turkey where it originated.

This pepper variety with its unique shape, taste and versatility remains popular among gourmets, home cooks, and gardeners alike.

A new pepper to try.

Our take

History and description

Our take

History and description

Our take

History and description

Our take

History and description

Tabasco

Our take

a 2 column html table for carnival blend peppers listing the characteristics Height, Color, Shape, Size, Texture, Flavor Profile, heat profile, Disease Resistance and Maturity in days

History and description of the mmmmm pepper