Hungarian wax pepper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hungarian wax pepper
Whole and cross section of a Hungarian wax pepper
Species	Capsicum annuum
Heat	Medium
Scoville scale	1,000-15,000 SHU

The Hungarian wax pepper is a type of pepper that isn't too spicy, but still has a bit of a kick! It's a medium-sized pepper from the Capsicum annuum family. Its spiciness can range quite a bit, from 1,000 to 15,000 Scoville units. This means some can be very mild, while others are a bit hotter.

What is a Hungarian Wax Pepper?

This pepper is usually picked before it's fully grown, when it's still bright yellow. It's about 4 to 6 inches long (10–15 cm) and tapers to a rounded tip. As it gets older, the pepper changes color. It turns orange, then finally becomes red when fully ripe.

Even though it looks a lot like a banana pepper when it's young, the Hungarian wax pepper is actually a different type. It's easy to grow and produces many peppers. Because of this, many people who garden at home like to pickle these peppers. They can be pickled whole or sliced into rings.

Different Kinds of Hungarian Wax Peppers

There are a few different kinds of Hungarian wax peppers, each with its own special uses:

• Szentesi paprika: This is a very mild type of Hungarian wax pepper. It has a special status called "PGI" (Protected Geographical Indication). This means it's known for coming from a specific area, the town of Szentes.
• TV paprika: The "TV" in its name stands for "tölteni való," which means "to-be-stuffed." This is a popular mild version. People eat it raw, use it in different dishes, or, as its name suggests, stuff it! Stuffed paprika is often filled with a meatball mixture and served with tomato sauce. It tastes similar to a dish called lecsó.
• Lecsó paprika: This is a cheaper, often very ripe, and mild type of pepper. It sometimes has an orange color. As its name suggests, it's often used to make different dishes based on lecsó, which is a popular Hungarian vegetable stew.
• Bogyiszlói paprika: This is a hot version of the Hungarian wax pepper. It looks very much like the TV paprika but has a heat level of around 10,000 Scoville units. It's named after the village of Bogyiszló, where it is traditionally grown.

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