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Spicy exchange / 2023

#PepperGate: How to identify mystery peppers in your garden

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WTF is PepperGate?

PepperGate, also known as jalapeñogate and the Great Pepper Mixup of 2023, has become a significant topic of discussion within the gardening community. It has come to light that numerous pepper seeds have been mislabeled.

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Free pepper growing guide

Not sure where to start? I've put together a 34-page guide to help you grow an abundant harvest.

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Before you start worrying about Peppergate, examine all your seed packets to see if it may be a simple mistake of mixed-up seedlings. If you don’t have a packet for the fruit that you’ve grown, there are several effective ways to identify the mystery peppers growing in your garden.

How to ID mystery peppers

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Join our small but growing online community of spicy food enthusiasts for free and share your pepper photos to seek identification help. Our community members are passionate about all things spicy and can be a valuable resource in identifying the peppers you’re growing.

Leverage community

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Match photos to the pepper directory

If you’re puzzled about the peppers growing in your garden, don’t worry! We have a comprehensive pepper directory with over 50 pepper varieties that can come to your rescue.

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Leverage the power of technology to effortlessly identify your pepper plants by using Google Lens or a reliable plant identification app. With just your smartphone, you can unravel the mystery of your peppers in no time.

Use Google Lens

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How do I know if the pepper is sweet or hot?

Until you have a positive ID, it’s hard to know if the pepper is sweet or hot. If you’re unsure about the heat of the pepper and you are sensitive to spice, enlist the help of friends or family willing to do a taste test for you.

Get the free guide to growing chili peppers

The "green thumb" is a myth — with the right information, anyone can successfully grow peppers. Enjoy this free 34-page guide to help you grow an abundant harvest.

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