Sugar Rush Red is a prolific Capsicum baccatum cultivar known for its sweet, fruity flavor and moderate heat. Bred by Chris Fowler in Wales from an accidental cross originating in Finland, it descends from South American Aji peppers. The peppers ripen to a vibrant red and are prized for fresh eating and sauces.
Sugar Rush Red peppers are elongated, glossy, and wrinkled pods that grow to about 3 inches in length with a tapered, pointed tip. They start green and mature to a bright red color, often with a slightly curved or irregular shape typical of baccatum varieties. The flavor profile is exceptionally sweet and complex, featuring prominent notes of apricot, peach, citrus, and tropical fruit upfront, followed by a medium, lingering heat that builds gradually without overwhelming the palate. This makes them excellent for fresh snacking, salsas, hot sauces, and drying into flavorful powders. The plants are tall and highly productive, often reaching 5 feet or more with support, and produce abundant yields over a long season, though pods take time to fully ripen to red. As a baccatum, they feature the characteristic white flowers with yellow anthers and are well-suited to warm climates but adaptable to containers with proper care.
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The Sugar Rush series originated from an accidental cross of a sweet C. baccatum plant in Fatalii.net's experimental greenhouse in Finland around 2009-2010. Seeds were shared with Welsh grower Chris Fowler, who stabilized and developed color variants including Red and Peach through further selection. The base genetics trace to Peruvian Aji peppers.
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Reach out →Sweet and tropical with apricot, peach, and citrus notes that transition into a medium, lingering heat.
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