Description
Chilli Name : PETER PEPPER RED (PI 593566)
Chilli Species : Annuum
Chilli Origin : USA (Louisiana / Texas)
Chilli Heat : Medium–Hot
Peter Pepper Red is a famous heirloom chilli from the American South, best known for its unmistakable — and rather cheeky — pod shape that resembles part of the male anatomy. Beyond the novelty, though, it’s actually a very productive, great-tasting variety with genuine heritage and horticultural interest.
Believed to have originated in Louisiana or Texas, this pepper has been grown since at least the mid-20th century, officially recorded as PI 593566 in the USDA seed collection. The pods are elongated, wrinkled, and slightly curled, 7–10 cm long, ripening from green to bright red. The flavour is fruity, slightly sweet and earthy, with a medium–hot burn of around 20,000–40,000 SHU.
Plants are medium-sized (60–80 cm tall) and highly productive, producing abundant pods through the season — it’s as ornamental as it is edible. Despite its humorous appearance, the Peter Pepper is used in salsas, sauces, and pickles, adding both heat and conversation to any dish.
Seeds germinate best at 26–30 °C, sprouting within 10–21 days. Plants mature in around 90–100 days and yield well through summer.
