This pepper is one that is unique unlike any pepper I have ever seen to date. This spaceship looking wonder goes from green to a beautiful ruby red. It's considered an ornamental plant - however it doesn't come with ornamental taste. It comes packed with a unique taste profile that when you bite into it, you almost take a second bite just to make sure that's what you were tasting the first time.
It has recently become more commercially known and available online, however it is still new to the outside world - don't go looking for them in any old supermarket or farmers market just yet in Canada.
Scoville Rating
Heat Level: 10,000-30,000 SHU. Some say it can hit up to 50,000 SHU, making it ten times hotter than jalapeno.
Where does this pepper come from?
The Brazilian Starfish is a capsicum baccatum species with roots in Ancient Peru. Funny right? but it's called Brazilian Starfish... however it was actually domesticated in Brazil.
What does it look like?
This plant produces almost starfish like peppers. They have a UFO feeling because they are wider than they are. They start off green changing to an orange, finishing to a vibrant red.
What does it taste like?
The Peppers have a sweet, almost apple or flavor, but with a kick of heat that is very tolerable - best described as a slow burn over a quick hit to the face. The other unique quality this pepper provides is that it smells like strawberries when you bite into it, yes you heard it right.
How can you use these chilies?
The Brazilian starfish, if you can handle the heat, it's a pleasure to eat raw. Classic ways to eat peppers is fresh in tacos, vegetable salads, fresh salsa, burritos, pizza, grilled sandwiches, and so much more. Best of all - you can pickle Brazilian starfish peppers. Don't miss out on trying to pickle them, they add a very unique taste profile that you aren't use too.
Have you ever grown Brazilian Starfish before? If so tag #jobinkitchengarden on Instagram or on Facebook and let me know!
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