Aji Chinchi Amarillo Hot

(C. baccatum) 59 days.(green > golden orange-yellow) [introduced by SESE 2018.] Fruity, flavorful, with medium-high heat. A heavy yielder and a favorite in our 2016 pepper taste test. Aji Amarillo peppers are a key ingredient in Peruvian cuisine. This rare “Chinchi” strain bears smaller peppers, about 3 × ½ in., much earlier in the season than the standard Aji Amarillo. Thanks to Chris Watson for providing our seedstock.

Ancho (Poblano)

74 days. (green > red) Called poblanos when fresh, the classic choice for chiles rellenos. After ripening red and then dried, they are called anchos and are used in mole, adobo, and other sauces. Chunky fruits up to 4 in. long. Usually mild when green, may become slightly hotter when red.

Anaheim Chile

77 days. (green > deep red) A versatile mild pepper used fresh, canned, fried, or dried. 6-8 in. pendant fruits are borne abundantly on tall, productive, vigorous plants.

Carolina Cayenne

70 days. (green > red) [1986, Clemson U. & USDA] 2-3 times more hot than regular Cayennes! Heavy yields of 1 x 5 in. fruits, larger than most Cayenne peppers. Excellent nematode resistance. 3 ft. plants.

Carolina Wonder

75 days. (green > red) [Introduced by SESE 1999.] The best nematode- resistant bell for home gardeners. Foliage, fruits, and yields are very similar to California Wonder. This variety is a potentially valuable line for developing other nematode-resistant bell peppers. It is also less prone to developing fungus in the seed cavity. The premium-grade, 3- and 4-lobed, fruits weigh 1⁄4-1⁄3 lb and measure 3 x 4 in. Sweet flavor even when green.

Doe Hill Golden Sweet Bell

61 days. (green > orange) [Pre-1900 family heirloom from the Doe Hill area in Highland County, VA. Introduced by SESE 2000.] Miniature (1 x 2¼ in.), 4- to 6- lobed, flattened orange bells, with sweet, fruity, multidimensional flavor. High yielding, 30 in. plants widely adapted and disease resistant. Fruits keep well.

Feherozon Sweet Bell

(creamy white > orange > red) 55 days. [Seed from Dr. Terry Berke at the Asian Vegetable Research Center. Introduced 1999 by SESE.] An extra-early, large wax, Hungarian sweet pepper with compact growth and concentrated fruit set. Dwarf plants are only 12-15 in. tall, yet produce an early yield of 7 fruits per plant on the first harvest. Thick-walled pointed bells, 2½ x 3½ in. Excellent variety for container gardens, early crops, and short-season areas.

Golden Calwonder Sweet Bell

72 days. (green > gold) Widely adapted and similar to California Wonder. The thick-walled, golden ripe fruits average 3 x 3 in. 3 ft. plants. Does well in the Mid-Atlantic.

Habanero

(C. chinense) 95 days. (green > orange-red) [Cultivated in the Yucatan, Trinidad, and West Indies.] A very aromatic, flavorful, very hot pepper used in Caribbean curries and jerk sauces. 1¼ x 2 in. thin-walled fruits. Slow germinating. Requires a long warm growing season; plants eventually reach 3-4 ft.

Jalapeño

72 days. (green > red) The classic salsa chile. Medium-hot 1½ x 2½ in. thick-walled peppers usually harvested green, but can be left to mature to red, or removed from the plants to redden indoors. (A chipotle is a smoked red jalapeño.) A teaspoon of jalapeño vinegar is excellent seasoning for bean soups. Jalapeños filled with cream cheese and fried are a Southern specialty.

Jimmy Nardello's Italian Sweet

58 days. (green > crimson red) Best sweet variety for drying. This treasure was in our seed bank for 15 years before we grew it in our pepper trials; we wish we’d offered it sooner! One of the more productive, disease-resistant, and most widely adapted heirloom sweet peppers we have grown. Tapered banana-shaped fruits are multi- dimensionally sweet and intensely flavored. Excellent for drying, frying, freezing, relishes, or salads. Thin-walled fruits are ¾ in. to 1¼ in. at the shoulder and 5-8 in. long. 3 ft. plants.

Keystone Resistant Giant Sweet Bell

79 days. (green > red) A California Wonder type with large, blocky, pendant fruit (3½ x 4 in.). Mosaic resistant. Heavy foliage reduces susceptibility to sunscald. Thick stems hold up under heavy fruit load. Well suited to the Mid-Atlantic, but not recommended for the Deep South.

Long Red Cayenne

72 days. (green > red) [Pre- 1827] A choice, fiery, red-hot seasoning pepper. Use fresh or dried, especially in salsa or chili. ½ x 3-5 in. fruits. 42 in. plants.

Marconi Sweet Bell

80 days. (green > red) Fabulous yields with this 7 in. horn shaped Italian heirloom. Great for frying, drying, or using fresh in salads. Very sweet whether green or red, stands up well to the heat.

Purple Beauty Sweet Bell

80 days. (green > purple > deep red) On their way to deep red, the peppers stop and linger at a dark purple color (lime green inside) that’s lovely in salads. Medium-sized bells, 3 x 3 in., thick flesh, good foliage cover. 3 ft. tall, mosaic resistant plants.

Serrano Tampiqueño

75 days. (green > orange > red-orange) Attractive 4 ft. plants with pendant, thin-walled fruit (½ x 2¼ in.). Flavorful pepper, ideal for chili, salsa, hot pepper vinegar, and pickling. Very hot whether green or red. Dries easily.

Sweet Banana (Long Sweet Hungarian)

70 days. (pale green > yellow > orange > crimson red) [1941, AAS Winner.] Heavy yields of attractive, banana- shaped peppers, 6 x 1½ in. Eaten at any ripeness stage, but sweetest when red. Great for colorful salads, frying, and freezing. 42 in. plants. Excellent choice for Mid-Atlantic region.

Sweet Chocolate Bell Pepper

86 days. (green > chocolate brown) Medium-sized, shiny, chocolate-cherry-colored bells, 2½ x 4½ in., 3-lobed. Unusual dark maroon interior fruit color. Extremely productive, continuous fruiting, very disease resistant. Stake tall plants for best production.