Peter pepper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peter red pepper |
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Mature Peter red chili next to a dried pod
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| Species | Capsicum annuum var. annuum |
| Heat |  Medium |
| Scoville scale | 10,000-23,000 SHU |
The peter pepper, Capsicum annuum var. annuum, is an heirloom chili pepper that is best known for its unusual shape. It is a type of Capsicum annuum, though it is not officially recognized as a cultivar of the species. It occurs in red and yellow varieties. The pepper is considered very rare, and its origin is unknown.
The pepper is most commonly grown in East Texas, Louisiana, and in parts of Mexico. It was first popularized in the United States by Texas journalist, historian, and chili enthusiast Frank X. Tolbert in his Dallas Morning News column about obscure local history, although he saw the pepper only once in his life. It has since been studied by horticulture experts at the University of Texas at Austin and Louisiana State University. Though it is rare, its seeds are available from some private suppliers. It is adaptable to a variety of growing conditions. The seeds have also been exported to Asian countries, including South Korea.
The pod of the pepper is wrinkled and has a round tip with a cleft. It is approximately 3 to 4 inches long, and 1 to 1.5 inches wide when fully mature. The pod of the pepper has also been noted for its pungency.
As it has a very high Scoville scale rating, the pepper has been suggested for ornamental use rather than human consumption. It is sometimes pickled, though.
Growing peter peppers
In Backwoods Home Magazine, Alice Brantley Yeager describes the process of growing peter peppers: "The best growing conditions involve a sunny spot in the garden, moderately rich soil and the same amount of water you’d give any other pepper plant when drought threatens." It is recommended to use a seed starter for a better result, but if a seed starter is not available, the seeds could be planted "in a plastic or clay pot in a sunny window".
