Seedy Capsicum!

Capsicum seeds reveal a different side!

Capsicum is a genus of plants that have a range of names, varieties and has been in cultivation for over 5,000 years.

This is Capsicum from Wikipedia!

Capsicum is thought to have come from the Americas - namely Puebla in Mexico with the word chilli referring to what we know as capsicum! This was 3,000 BC, so capsicum has history and depending on where in the world it is now grown - the name changes - see quote below:

The fruit of Capsicum plants have a variety of names depending on place and type. They are commonly called chili pepper, red or green pepper in North America, or sweet pepper in Britain, and typically just "capsicum" in Australia, New Zealand, and India. The large mild form is called bell pepper in the U.S. and Canada. They are called paprika in some other countries (although paprika can also refer to the powdered spice made from various capsicum fruit). So what has the seeds got to do with this story?

The seeds produced by a capsicum or pepper, red or green that you see below:

This is Californian Wonder - red & green depending on when you pick!

The amount of seeds being produced by these beautiful fruit are amazing - in one there were close to 500 seeds! This is a photo of a small amount from a capsicum used in cooking - the seeds are the bonus!

Capsicum seeds

This is the best little seed packet you can purchase! The cost of a packet of seeds (Capsicum - annuum) is around $4.00 for about 100 seeds. Not bad but you can purchase about 3 capsicums for under $5.00 in Australia but far less in other countries! The source of Capsicum annuum (California Wonder) can be sold in Australia, seed from Asia, packaged in the UK and eventually sold in Bunnings! Almost all the capsicums that we purchase in Australia (90%) come from North Queensland and fortunately they have their own seed stocks. The best way to taste what you buy is use natures seed packet for growing your own.

Keep an eye on the Rural ABC site listed here - Caitlyn Gribbin seems to have a handle on a lot of the North of Queensland's rural produce. Here Caitlyns website at the ABC.

So if you can't buy the local produce - sow the seeds and see if the fruit are tasty - then keep the seeds and keep the flavour going. Good luck!