Ornamental Peppers, just for looks?

[campingcorgis]

I used to grow Ornamental Peppers in my yard in So Cal.  Just because I thought them pretty and they were available at local nurseries.  Now, I'm wondering, are there Ornamental Peppers that also have culinary applications?  

[maskedsonnet]

The ornamental peppers I've grown have all been rather hot, though not terribly flavorful. So if you're looking to add a good kick of heat to something, ornamental peppers are great! They also add a super fun pop of color to dishes. They're just not a great "snacking" pepper, and tended to be a little on the bitter side if you just ate one alone without cooking it into something.

[campingcorgis]

Jul 31, 2021 22:12:07 GMT -5 maskedsonnet said:

The ornamental peppers I've grown have all been rather hot, though not terribly flavorful. So if you're looking to add a good kick of heat to something, ornamental peppers are great! They also add a super fun pop of color to dishes. They're just not a great "snacking" pepper, and tended to be a little on the bitter side if you just ate one alone without cooking it into something.

Thanks & great info!  Guess I'll just grow them to admire!  

[airscapes]

Jul 31, 2021 22:12:07 GMT -5 maskedsonnet said:

The ornamental peppers I've grown have all been rather hot, though not terribly flavorful. So if you're looking to add a good kick of heat to something, ornamental peppers are great! They also add a super fun pop of color to dishes. They're just not a great "snacking" pepper, and tended to be a little on the bitter side if you just ate one alone without cooking it into something

Everyone's taste buds are different and unfortunately I grew up in a bland food household and never got accustom to the sensation of burning mouth and throat.   So it is funny to hear you say they are a little bitter when you say they are rather hot..  I would be spitting it out looking for bread and water and never would have thought there was other flavors! 

[campingcorgis]

Oh, look what I found...Pretty N Sweet Ornamental Pepper at Park Seed.  It is in my cart! 

[Shawn]

Aug 1, 2021 10:17:30 GMT -5 campingcorgis said:

Oh, look what I found...Pretty N Sweet Ornamental Pepper at Park Seed.  It is in my cart! 

I think I tried these .  If not me someone here.

[maskedsonnet]

sher grew them, before having to terminate for aphids. Looked like a very pretty pepper though! I'll look forward to seeing someone grow them again if campingcorgis does them

airscapes I think it's funny how different people have such wildly different definitions of "spicy", I always enjoy ordering spicy options off different menus just to test myself. I grew up eating jalapenos and pequines as the most spicy peppers in the house, but moving to NM 8 years ago really changed my tastebuds! Got hooked on green chile and then started wanting to see what other new and exciting pepper flavors were out there

[mike]

Pretty N Sweet are pretty good. My main issue with ornamentals are the vast amounts of seeds. They all seem to have too many.

[Sher]

Aug 2, 2021 8:58:08 GMT -5 mike said:

Pretty N Sweet are pretty good. My main issue with ornamentals are the vast amounts of seeds. They all seem to have too many.

That was my experience with the Pretty 'n Sweet. Plus the peppers were smaller than I expected.

[campingcorgis]

Thanks, mike and Sher!  Good to know.  I don't mind de-seeding peppers.  I'm used to it since we aren't fond of too much heat from peppers, but love the flavor.  I use a Tomato Huller/Stemmer tool.  It removes the seeds and as much of the vein as I think is needed too.  Sometimes I have to hold my breath and stand back a bit so the fumes don't hit my eyes!  Jalapenos just add such a depth of flavor to an otherwise bland soup or broth.  Yum!  

[mike]

Many of the hotter ones make excellent sauce. I made a sauce with some Loco Hybrids I grew a few years ago that was excellent.

[mike]

One other thing I felt I should share. I consider Thai peppers to be ornamental. I think they are awful tasting. They are hot with no depth of flavor. And that is the ripe ones. I consider unripe Thai peppers to be inedible. They are fibrous and grassy tasting. I find many upward growing peppers to be that way. The Locos were one of the few upward growing peppers I really like. Even those need to be simmered for a long time to get the results I like. And you want to simmer the whole pepper and strain the solids out later, there. 

[Shawn]

Aug 2, 2021 18:25:47 GMT -5 mike said:

One other thing I felt I should share. I consider Thai peppers to be ornamental. I think they are awful tasting. They are hot with no depth of flavor. And that is the ripe ones. I consider unripe Thai peppers to be inedible. They are fibrous and grassy tasting. I find many upward growing peppers to be that way. The Locos were one of the few upward growing peppers I really like. Even those need to be simmered for a long time to get the results I like. And you want to simmer the whole pepper and strain the solids out later, there. 

If you do not mind I may add this to the pepper tasting thread!

[mike]

Sure

[campingcorgis]

Aug 2, 2021 18:25:47 GMT -5 mike said:

One other thing I felt I should share. I consider Thai peppers to be ornamental. I think they are awful tasting. They are hot with no depth of flavor. And that is the ripe ones. I consider unripe Thai peppers to be inedible. They are fibrous and grassy tasting. I find many upward growing peppers to be that way. The Locos were one of the few upward growing peppers I really like. Even those need to be simmered for a long time to get the results I like. And you want to simmer the whole pepper and strain the solids out later, there. 

Thanks, Mike!  That is very interesting and truly helpful too.  I'm with you on the Thai peppers too.  Although I've only had them in restaurants and store-bought.  When a recipe calls for them, I substitute a pepper that I like!  I do agree that they are pretty too.  I think they are one that I grew outside, many, many years ago.