Fish Pepper

Heirloom Hot Pepper (Capsicum annuum)

🌈 What Makes Fish Pepper Special

Fish Pepper is a historic heirloom hot pepper known for its striking color progression and variegated foliage. Peppers mature through green → cream → orange → red, often showing multiple colors on the plant at the same time.

This variety isn’t just beautiful — it has deep roots in African-American culinary history, especially in traditional seafood dishes along the Chesapeake Bay.

🔥 Heat & Flavor

  • Heat level: Medium–Hot
    (~5,000–30,000 Scoville Heat Units)

  • Flavor: Bright, clean heat with a slightly fruity finish

  • Use: Seafood, sauces, salsas, pickling, drying

💡 Heat increases as peppers mature — cream-colored peppers are milder than fully red ones.

🌱 Plant Details

  • Plant size: Compact, bushy habit

  • Height: ~24–36 inches

  • Best grown in: Containers, raised beds, or garden beds

  • Foliage: Often variegated (green and white leaves)

Fish Pepper performs very well in pots and is an excellent choice for gardeners with limited space.

☀️ Growing Tips

  • Sun: Full sun (6–8+ hours daily)

  • Water: Moderate; allow soil to dry slightly between watering

  • Soil: Well-draining, nutrient-rich soil

  • Harvest: Peppers can be harvested at any color stage

Regular harvesting encourages continued production.

🧑‍🍳 Culinary Notes

Fish Pepper was traditionally used to season:

  • Fish and shellfish dishes

  • Cream-based sauces

  • Vinegar sauces and hot pepper relishes

Today, it’s equally at home in modern kitchens — especially where controlled heat and visual appeal matter.

🏺 Preservation Ideas

  • Dry ripe red peppers for flakes or powder

  • Pickle immature cream-colored peppers

  • Freeze chopped peppers for later use

🌶️ Quick Facts

  • Type: Heirloom / Open-pollinated

  • Species: Capsicum annuum

  • Heat: Medium–Hot

  • Harvest color: Green → Cream → Orange → Red

  • Container friendly: Yes

🌱 From KC Backyard Garden Guy

This Fish Pepper plant was grown with care and selected for healthy growth, strong roots, and great flavor.

If you have questions or want growing tips throughout the season, feel free to check back — this page may be updated as the season progresses.

🌻 Grown locally by KC Backyard Garden Guy
📍 Kansas City area
🌐 kc-bygg.com

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