“pungent” peppers. The “hotness” depends on the presence of capsaicin, which
varies with both the variety and the temperature, the hotter the weather the hotter the
pepper. Tabasco sauce and Cayenne pepper are made from the fruits of Capsicum
frutescens.
Other species include the Habanero (“Jamaican”, “Scotch Bonnet”) Pepper
Capsicum peppers are members of the nightshade family Solanaceae and should
not be confused with their unrelated namesake the White or Black Pepper, the
product of Piper nigrum. This type of pepper was grown in the West Indies and sold
at inflated prices in Europe, principally as the hot ingredient of curry powder.
Following the introduction of Capsicum peppers, their dried and ground up leaves
were used as a less expensive alternative.
)Both types of Capsicum Peppers are good sources of vitamins, including B1 and
B2, as shown below:
Species / type Vitamin C /
Ascorbic acidVitamin A -
Carotene- C. annuum (83% moisture)
- C. frutescens (10% moisture)
50–280
2–50100–1200
200–20,000F1 hybrid seed of Sweet Peppers is readily available, and can be produced without
great cost. Capsicums are mainly self-pollinated, though about 16% cross-
pollination also occurs.
PLANTING
Propagation: by seed, normally sown in nurseries, under glass unless the weather is
very warm, and transplanted at 4–6 weeks when 8–15 cm tall. Farmers can easily
produce their own seed, though there is often some cross-pollination. The seed can
also be taken out from any capsicum fruit you like the look of which you buy in a
shop, preferably from locally grown plants.
Germination: seed can remain viable for 2–3 years. 6–10 day germination time.
Soil: peppers adapt to a wide range, although ideally the soil should be well drained,
light, loamy and rich in lime. Moderately susceptible to salinity. Good response to
organic manures.
Seed rate: 140–170 seeds per gram. About 0.5–1.5 kg of seed produces enough
plants for 1 ha.
Spacing: 60–90 cm square grid, either on the flat, or on ridges if water-logging is
likely.
Depth: 0.5–1 cm.
(mg per 100 g) (IU per 100 g)238 TONY WINCH
C. chininse with square/heart shaped fruit 5 cm long, some very hot, Capsicum
pubescens, which includes the South American rocoto peppers and Capsicum
baccatum, which includes the South American aji peppers.