Capsicum Pubescens
Rocoto
By Jim (Habanero) Duffy
Capsicum Pubescens
This species is native to Peru and Bolivia. But is now grown throughout all of Latin America. It includes all species named Rocoto and Manzano.
The pods are thick and juicy like a Bell pepper and can get to the size of a small apple. Many are apple shaped. The heat level barely reaches
100,000 Scoville units. This type cannot cross-pollinate with any other type except other Pubescens. Other peppers have white seeds while Pubescens
are black. They also have Purple flowers instead of white.
Red or Yellow Rocoto (Capsicum Pubescens)
These are not Habanero types. They are capsicum pubescens species from Peru. The chiles are thick walled, hot and
apple like shaped. Also have an apple flavor! Grown in cooler climate in Andes Mountains. Seeds look different from other chiles and are dark black.
Plants can handle mild frost for a few days and readily grow back after pruning the following year.
At Refining Fire Chiles we isolate our seed production plants to avoid
cross-pollination with other chile species. If you want to try it yourself contact us for seeds, plants (March-August) and fresh chiles (September).
We also grow the Trinidad 7 Pot, Trinidad Scorpion, Naga Morich, Chocolate Habanero and many other Hot Chile Pepper plant
varieties!
