As the name suggests, this pepper variety loosely resembles a UFO spaceship, and it is purple (when unripe). Aside from being purple and very beautiful, the purple UFO has some other unique traits. In general, the purple UFO is considered more of an ornamental pepper than a practical variety. However, the pods are edible, and are much larger than most decorative pepper types. Another characteristic that stands out about this variety is the crunch factor. While many ornamental varieties are small, soft, and full of seeds, the purple UFO has a nice crunch. The walls of the peppers are pretty thin, but they are still crisp when fresh (especially unripe). When it comes to heat, the purple UFO is fairly spicy, but not overwhelming. The heat is comparable to a very hot jalapeño pepper, likely around 10,000 SHUs on the Scoville Scale. What is more interesting about this pepper is how the heat is experienced. Some peppers, such as a habanero, have a long, lingering burn. The purple UFO has a more sharp, immediate kick that doesn’t last nearly as long. So if you happen to be looking for a variety that has a shorter burn, this may be the right pepper for you to grow! I personally appreciate this characteristic, as not everyone wants to have their mouth on fire for 30 minutes or longer! When Wilbur Scoville first devised a means to test the heat of peppers, his hottest entry then came in at 20,000 units. Habanero and Thai chilies can go as high as 60,000. Compare that to the sweet bell pepper at zero. When hot peppers are consumed, capsaicinoids bind with pain receptors in the mouth and throat that are responsible for sensing heat. Once activated by the capsaicinoids, these receptors send a message to the brain that the person has consumed something hot. The brain responds to the burning sensation by raising the heart rate, increasing perspiration and release of endorphins. Hot peppers should be eaten with caution!
Slightly sweet, fruity flavor
Great in hot sauces, pickled, or dehydrated and ground into a powder
Mature Height: Approximately 2.5'
Ornamental and Edible
Immediate shipping in a 4" Pot