SEEDS- Hot Peppers African Heritage Achard Piri Piri Burkina Malawi Ethiopia
Here's a description of the five African pepper varieties:
### 1. **Achard Pepper**
- **Latin Name:** Likely a Capsicum annuum cultivar, though the exact Latin name is unclear.
- **Other Names:** Sometimes called "Achard Rouge" or "Piment Achard."
- **Scoville Rating:** Estimated at 30,000-50,000 SHU.
- **Days to Harvest:** Around 90-100 days from transplanting.
- **Plant Height:** Typically 1.5 to 2 feet (45-60 cm).
- **Leaf Color:** Standard green.
- **Fruit Size:** Medium-sized, usually 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm).
- **Fruit Color:** Starts green and ripens to a bright red.
- **Flavor Characteristics:** This hot pepper is used when green in Reunion and Mauritius to enhance the flavours of Rougail, a mixture of spices and peppers crushed in a pestle. Hot with a slightly sweet undertone; often used in spicy African sauces and condiments.
### 2. **Aji Ethiopian Fire**
- **Latin Name:** Capsicum annuum.
- **Other Names:** Ethiopian Fire.
- **Scoville Rating:** Approximately 50,000-75,000 SHU.
- **Days to Harvest:** 80-90 days.
- **Plant Height:** Can grow up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall.
- **Leaf Color:** Dark green.
- **Fruit Size:** 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long.
- **Fruit Color:** Green at first, turning bright red when mature.
- **Flavor Characteristics:** Very hot with a fruity undertone, commonly used in Ethiopian cuisine for stews and spice blends like berbere.
### 3. **Burkina Yellow**
- **Latin Name:** Capsicum chinense.
- **Other Names:** None widely known.
- **Scoville Rating:** 100,000-300,000 SHU.
- **Days to Harvest:** 90-100 days.
- **Plant Height:** Grows to about 2-3 feet (60-90 cm).
- **Leaf Color:** Medium to dark green.
- **Fruit Size:** Small, about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.5 cm) in length.
- **Fruit Color:** Starts green and ripens to a bright yellow.
- **Flavor Characteristics:** Very hot and fruity with a slight citrus note, great for hot sauces and salsas. Originating from Burkina Faso, it’s prized for its heat and flavor balance.
### 4. **Malawi Piquante (Peppadew)**
- **Latin Name:** Capsicum baccatum.
- **Other Names:** Piquante Pepper, Peppadew (trademarked name).
- **Scoville Rating:** 1,100-1,500 SHU (mild heat).
- **Days to Harvest:** 80-90 days.
- **Plant Height:** Around 3 feet (90 cm).
- **Leaf Color:** Standard green.
- **Fruit Size:** Small, about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.5 cm) in diameter.
- **Fruit Color:** Starts green and ripens to bright red.
- **Flavor Characteristics:** Mild, sweet, and slightly tangy, often pickled and used in salads and sandwiches. It originates from Malawi, though the Peppadew brand is associated with South African commercialization.
### 5. **Piri Piri (Peri Peri)**
The name Piri piri means “pepper pepper” in Swahili. The diminutive piri piri pepper, whose ancestor plants hail from ancient South America, has taken hold in Africa over the past several centuries, growing wild and also being cultivated by people from South Africa to Nigeria, Ethiopia to Mozambique.
- **Latin Name:** Capsicum frutescens.
- **Other Names:** Peri Peri, African Bird's Eye Chili, African red Devil.
- **Scoville Rating:** 50,000-175,000 SHU.
- **Days to Harvest:** 90-100 days.
- **Plant Height:** Typically 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) tall.
- **Leaf Color:** Dark green.
- **Fruit Size:** Small, usually 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) in length.
- **Fruit Color:** Starts green and ripens to a bright red or orange.
- **Flavor Characteristics:** Fiery and tangy with earthy notes; widely used in African and Portuguese cooking, especially in the famous peri-peri sauce.
These peppers offer a wide range of heat and flavor profiles, making them versatile for different culinary uses, from spicy sauces to milder condiments. Let me know if you'd like more specific details on any of them!