What kind of pepper is this? How to identify mystery peppers

Identifying mystery peppers in your garden can be a challenging but necessary task, especially when dealing with unknown varieties. Understanding the source of the issue is the first step in solving the mystery of what type of pepper you have.

This guide will provide practical steps to help you identify your peppers, whether you’re dealing with an unexpected variety due to PepperGate or another common issue.

Common reasons you may not recognize the peppers growing in your garden

Using Seeds from 2023

• The PepperGate scandal of 2023 had widespread impacts on gardeners across the country. Many received mislabeled pepper seeds, leading to a significant mix-up in the varieties grown. If you’re using seeds you bought in 2023, PepperGate mey be the reason you don’t recognize what’s growing.

Planting Saved Seeds

• Saving seeds from your garden can be a great way to continue growing varieties you enjoy. However, if you planted multiple different types of peppers in close proximity, it’s possible that the two types cross-polinated, which can create a new hybrid. Hybrids can produce offspring with characteristics from either parent or a mix of both, leading to unexpected results. If you’ve saved seeds from a previous harvest, the peppers you grow might be a surprise, and identifying them can be more challenging due to the potential variability in their traits.

Mislabeling

• Mislabeling can occur at several points in the gardening process, from the packaging of seeds to the identification of seedlings. If you purchase seedlings from a nursery, there’s a chance that they were mislabeled, leading to an unexpected variety growing in your garden. Similarly, if you’re starting seeds indoors, it’s easy to mix up labels, resulting in mystery peppers once they start to fruit.

Steps to Identify Mystery Peppers

If you find yourself with mystery peppers in your garden, there are several steps you can take to identify them. These methods range from comparing physical characteristics to leveraging online tools and communities.

1. Compare Physical Characteristics

The first step in identifying mystery peppers is to compare their physical characteristics to known varieties. Here are some key traits to observe:

• Shape: Peppers come in a variety of shapes, from long and thin (like cayenne) to short and round (like habanero). The shape of your mystery pepper can help narrow down its identity.
• Size: The size of the fruit is another important characteristic. Some peppers, like bell peppers, are large and blocky, while others, like Thai chilis, are small and slender.
• Color: Peppers can mature to a variety of colors, including red, yellow, orange, green, and purple. Observing the color of your pepper at maturity can provide clues to its variety.
• Surface Texture: Some peppers have smooth skins, while others may be wrinkled or have a unique texture. This can be another distinguishing feature.

By matching these physical traits to descriptions or photos in a pepper directory, you can begin to identify your mystery pepper.

2. Use Online Resources and Tools

There are several online tools and resources available to help identify mystery peppers:

Gardening Communities: Online gardening communities, such as those found on Facebook or Reddit, can be a helpful resource. Posting a photo of your mystery pepper in a gardening group can yield responses from other gardeners who might recognize the variety. While responses may vary, this can be a good starting point for further research.

Pepper Directories: Many gardening websites and databases offer directories of pepper varieties with photos and descriptions. These directories can be a valuable resource for visual comparisons. You can start by searching for a pepper that resembles your mystery plant and then read the description to see if the other traits match.

Google Lens or Plant Identification Apps: Technology can be a helpful tool in identifying plants. Google Lens, available on Android devices, allows you to take a photo of your pepper and search for similar images online. Plant identification apps like PlantNet can also be useful, though the accuracy can vary. To use Google Lens, simply take a clear photo of your pepper, open the Google Photos app, and use the Lens feature to search for visual matches.

3. Consider the Growing Environment and Plant Behavior

The environment in which your peppers are growing can also provide clues to their identity. Some peppers have specific requirements or behaviors that can help distinguish them from others:

• Growth Habit: Observe how the plant grows. Is it tall and sprawling, or more compact? Does it produce a large number of fruits, or just a few? These behaviors can help narrow down the possibilities.
• Maturity Time: Consider how long it took for the peppers to mature. Some varieties mature quickly, while others take much longer. Knowing the expected maturity time for different pepper varieties can help in identification.
• Plant Size: The overall size of the plant can also provide clues. Some pepper varieties, like bell peppers, tend to grow larger and bushier, while others, like hot chilis, may be smaller and more compact.

4. Taste Test

If you’re still unsure of your pepper’s identity, a taste test can provide additional information. However, this should be done with caution, especially if you’re sensitive to heat. Here’s how to conduct a safe taste test:

• Start Small: If you’re unsure whether the pepper is sweet or hot, start with a small piece. Taste a tiny portion of the fruit’s flesh, avoiding the seeds and inner membranes, which contain the most capsaicin (the compound responsible for heat).
• Observe Flavor and Heat: Pay attention to the flavor profile and the level of heat. Sweet peppers will have no heat, while hot peppers can range from mildly spicy to extremely hot. The flavor can also provide clues—some peppers have a fruity or smoky taste that can help identify them.
• Compare with Known Varieties: If you have experience with different pepper varieties, compare the taste of your mystery pepper with those you know. This can help confirm or narrow down the possible identity.

Identifying mystery peppers in your garden can be a fun and rewarding challenge. Whether the mystery is due to the lingering effects of PepperGate, hybrid seeds, or simple mislabeling, there are several effective methods for determining what type of pepper you’re growing.