Fun & Learning

Capsicum Frutescens

Capsicum Frutescens: Tabasco And More

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Characteristics of Capsicum Frutescens

Of the five domesticated Capsicum species, Frutescens is one of the easiest to identify. This particular species shows very little variation in the appearance of the pods, which are often produced in clusters.

Typically, the pods are small and tend to have an ellipsoid-conical shape. Frutescens plants are compact with short stubby growth and a large number of flowers, making them an ideal choice for container gardening.

Most often, the stem of this species grows straight up throughout the plant, curving suddenly just before reaching the flower head.

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Capsicum Chinense

Capsicum Chinense: The Hottest Peppers On Earth

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Capsicum chinense is the species behind the habanero, the scotch bonnet and every world-record holder for heat. How to identify it by the collar on its calyx, where it stops and frutescens begins, and why a pepper from the Amazon is named after China.

Bishops Crown Pepper

Capsicum Baccatum: Berry-Like And Bold

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Unique characteristics of Capsicum Baccatum

Literally translated, “Baccatum” means berry-like. This is a great way to remember one of the best ways to differentiate this Capsicum variety from others, as the pods have a physical appearance that is—if not quite like that of a berry—certainly more berry-like than others.

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Genus Capsicum

Genus Capsicum: The Classification Of Peppers

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Whether you’re biting into a sweet and juicy bell pepper or turning up the heat with a fiery habanero, you’re no stranger to the plant genus Capsicum.

Capsicum has been cultivated and consumed for thousands of years. In an incredible number of ethnic dishes around the world, peppers are an essential ingredient for truly authentic regional flavors as well as adding heat to just about any type of food imaginable.

But what’s the difference between a pepper and a chili pepper? Is a chilli something other than a chile and thus also different from a chili? Spelling aside, Capsicum by any other name is still just that; Capsicum.

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Two golden cornmeal waffles drizzled with amber maple syrup flecked with ground cayenne, with fresh raspberries, a small glass pitcher of syrup and a dish of cayenne pepper behind.

Spicy Maple Syrup

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A cup of maple syrup and half a teaspoon of cayenne make a sweet, warm topping for pancakes and waffles, and an easy glaze for pork.

Two pale, slightly cloudy cucumber jalapeño martinis with cucumber ribbons in chilled glasses, on a linen-covered table by a window, beside a fresh jalapeño and cucumber slices on a small wooden board.

Cucumber Jalapeño Martini

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A cucumber martini with a kick: fresh jalapeño muddled with cucumber, shaken with vodka and cucumber syrup, and topped with a splash of soda. Makes two.

spicy cajun cream sauce

Spicy Cajun Cream Sauce

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Delicious…from pasta sauce to dipping sauce. Spicy Cajun cream sauce is not only tasty, it’s also very versatile. It’s obviously a good choice for adding a touch of spice to basic pasta. But try it, too, topping some chicken cutlets or as a dipping sauce side for …

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Homemade Jerk Seasoning

Homemade Jerk Seasoning

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A savory seasoning with heat.

When you think jerk seasoning, you think Jamaican foods, jerk chicken, shrimp, and steaks. And it’s true – this homemade jerk seasoning is perfect with all of these things. But it’s a seasoning that’s actually a whole lot more versatile. Try sprinkling it on pizza and sandwiches for a little extra savory oomph. Mix it with mayonnaise to make a phenomenal dipping sauce. Sprinkle it on sweet potato fries or your morning scrambled eggs. You’ll find lots of uses in your kitchen. The heat source: cayenne pepper powder.

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Poblano Corn Chowder

Poblano Corn Chowder

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A mild, creamy corn chowder built on roasted poblano peppers. Family friendly heat, a green vegetal note from the peppers, and a pot that thickens itself.