Chili peppers have been on the menu for humans since ancient times but the Kung Pow pepper is new to the culinary world. This hybrid fruit was first made available in 2000 and it has been gaining in popularity ever since. This pepper is high in iron, potassium and magnesium, just like other red chilis. It is rich in vitamin C and carotene and is a good source of various B vitamins and vitamin A.
Peppers are useful beyond the nutritional value they provide. When extracted, capsaicin is prepared as a topical analgesic. These topical agents are used to treat arthritis, headaches and other maladies.
The fruit is long, skinny and tapered and looks similar to a cayenne. Mature peppers will turn from green to red. They are approximately one inch wide and from four to six inches long. Seeds grow best when started indoors in starting medium. Planted seeds should be set somewhere that receives unfiltered light. They must be rotated weekly so all sides of the plant receive equal amounts of light.
Young seedlings many be replanted outdoors approximately one month after the last frost of the season. Allow twelve inches between stalks. The roots should be soaked well when watered but with care not to drown them. They are capable of adapting well to soil types from mildly alkaline to mildly acidic.
They will thrive equally well when grown indoors. Plants will grow vigorously and reach maturity in eighty to ninety days. Mature plants typcially reach a height of approximately three to four feet.
Handling peppers should be approached with caution. Always wear gloves when working with them. It is important to avoid touching the face, especially the eyes, before the hands have been washed thoroughly.
These peppers are rated between 7,000 and 12,000 on the Scoville Heat Scale. By comparison, the jalapeno belongs to the same species and is rated from 2,500 to 5,000. They are roughly as hot as the Hidalgo and milder samples of the Serrano.
These peppers are used in stir fry recipes and are often used to prepare Thai cuisine. They are suitable for pickling or may be freshly prepared in salads and spicy salsas. When dried out and crushed, they make a snappy topping for many types of food including pizza.
The Kung Pow pepper is a new twist on an ancient ingredient. People who have a hard time locating them for sale in their area can easily grow them at home. Nothing adds spice to a meal like fresh peppers straight from the garden.
Learn more about Kung Pow Pepper. Stop by Dale Denton’s site where you can find out all about Pepper and what it can do for you.