Brazilian Starfish Pepper
The Brazilian Starfish Pepper is a striking Capsicum baccatum cultivar known for its unique starfish-shaped pods and sweet, fruity flavor with medium heat. Domesticated in Brazil with roots in Peru, these peppers offer high yields on vigorous weeping plants and serve both culinary and ornamental purposes.
This pepper features distinctive flattened, star-like fruits approximately 1 to 2 inches in diameter and 0.5 to 0.75 inches thick, with a ribbed appearance and smooth skin. The pods mature from green to a brilliant red, offering a complex taste profile of sweet crispness with floral and fruity notes, including hints of apple, complemented by a manageable heat level. The plants exhibit a weeping, vine-like habit, growing 2 to 6 feet tall and producing dozens to over 100 pods per plant under optimal conditions. Ideal for fresh consumption, pickling, or cooking, these peppers add visual appeal to gardens and dishes alike. The heat is concentrated in the placenta and builds slowly, making the pepper versatile for those who enjoy flavor with a kick. As a baccatum variety, it has white flowers with yellowish spots and thrives in warm climates with good yields.
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Backstory
A selection of the Capsicum baccatum species, which originated in the Andes of Peru but was domesticated and popularized in Brazil, leading to its distinctive name and star-shaped fruits prized for both flavor and appearance.
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Sweet and fruity with complex floral undertones, crisp juicy texture, and a slow-building medium heat.
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