‘Candy cane pepper’ the term sounds interesting and creates a curiosity to learn more about it, right? I too felt the same when I first saw them in the farmers market. I was literally curious and wanted to know more about it too.
And not to mention that, this is a beginners guide for candy cane pepper-sharing the knowledge that I have acquired during my search(like this cherry pepper, jalapenos).
Likewise, if you are here, you know my fascination towards the peppers. And this candy cane pepper is one such sweet encounter in my pepper journey.
What is candy cane pepper?
These papers are also called ‘candy cane chocolate cherry peppers’, ‘candy cane sweet peppers' by the pepper enthusiasts.
This is a hybrid and crossbred pepper variety that looks like bell pepper but with strips and in an elongated form.
Recently this stripped pepper is gaining popularity among the gardeners and pepper cultivars.
The matured candy cane pepper has stripes that's similar to the candy canes, and no wonder how it got its name from.
This has a stunning and visually appealing outer skin. The matured pepper tastes sweet and fruity, with bold peppery flavors.
The history
It was developed by the Pan American seeds company. This pepper is versatile, it's excellent for edible purposes and for ornamental purposes as well.
A non profit organization called National garden bureau(established in 1920) awarded Green thumbs up to this candy cane pepper for the year of 2022. Its uniqueness, appealing to the gardeners are the two important factors that made them eligible for this award.
I got these from the Farmers market in Pennsylvania, and here the peppers were sweet with no heat, but with a fresh and herbaceous flavor.
How does it look?
They look similar to the bell peppers with 3-4 lobes on the bottom side, with the thick flesh, and glossy skin. The young candy cane peppers look green with the golden yellow stripes on the lengthwise.
As they mature they turn into red colored pepper with deep chocolate color stripes. This grows to the Maxximum of 2-3 inches in length and about 1-1.5 inches on the shoulder. Once they completely mature, they are completely transformed to a deep red color.
How does this pepper taste?
This pepper tastes fruity with the rich peppery flavor-that's more similar to the bell peppers with the unnoticeably mild heat. The matured candy cane peppers taste more intense and complex with a bright fruity and pepper flavor.
The heat
These peppers are estimated to have the same heat level similar to the bell peppers.
The pepper’s heat may vary according to the season, color of the pepper. Do you know that the peppers from the same plants differ in their heat level in a minimal way. And this universal rule is applicable to these candy cane peppers as well.
Candy cane pepper Scoville
These peppers belong to the family of sweet mini peppers. And considered as sweet pepper. Its heat level measures between 0-100 Scoville heat units of heat level.
Candy cane pepper seeds
Pan American seeds. This is a hybrid seat and getting sees directly from the cultivars is highly advisable that ensures those gorgeous stripes.
Candy cane vs bell pepper
These candy cane peppers are considered similar flavor profiles of the bell peppers. However, they differ highly on the shape, the size, and the color.
The bell pepper usually measures 2-3 inches in height and 2-3 inches in width. Whereas the candy cane peppers measure 2-3 inches tall and 1-1.5 inches on the shoulders.
But the structure, the thick flesh, the clustered seeds, the glossy skin remains the same for both these peppers.
Uses
No matter what type of candy cane pepper you use for your cooking-whether from the market or from your backyard. For sure, it becomes a favorite one for your family.
These peppers are good to use wherever the bell peppers are used.
Stuffed peppers. These peppers have a large inner chamber that provides more room for the stuffing(like this eggplant stuffed peppers, chickpea stuffed peppers).
Salsa. The robust flavors make them taste excellent.
Grill. Toss these candy cane peppers in the grill along with your meat, the peppers mellow to a smoky flavor that beautifully infuses with the grilled or barbequed meat.
Salad. Good to add them raw, or roast them for intense flavors.
Substitute. An excellent substitute for poblano peppers, banana peppers, cubanelle peppers.
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