Biquinho Pepper Seeds (Red)

"Famous Brazilian Heirloom Pepper"

Sun: Full Sun

Days to Maturity: 75 - 95 Days

Scoville Heat Units (SHU): Very Mild 500 - 1000 Units

Heirloom: Yes

Packet: 10 Seeds

Price: $2.99

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Summary / History

HEIRLOOM - The Red Biquinho is an heirloom pepper that is native to Minas Gerais, a large inland state in southeastern Brazil. It was named for its distinctive teardrop shape that resembled a little bird’s beak; in Portuguese, biquinho translates to "little beak". To the locals, the peppers were also known as Chupetinho or Pimenta de Bico. There is no single documented discoverer or discovery date because it was a wild-growing crop. Red Biquinho peppers were traditionally grown in home gardens as ornamental plants and used in neighborhood bars called botecos, where they were served pickled alongside small plates of sausage or fish. The botecos would serve them pickled in a blend of vinegar, herbs, garlic, and cachaça (traditional Brazilian liquor). While they still can be found being used as garnishes or pickled in botecos, the Red Biquinho has recently transitioned into global commercial markets.

Plant Characteristics

Despite belonging to the same family as the habanero, the Red Biquinho pepper has almost no heat. Measuring between 500 and 1,000 on the Scoville (SHU) scale, these very mild peppers deliver just a kiss of warmth with a distinct tropical fruitiness and a slightly smoky tang. They are about 3 to 16 times milder than a standard jalapeño. Due to the subtle heat, they are often tossed fresh into salads, used whole on charcuterie boards, or used as garnishes on top of pizzas and tacos. They are famously beloved for pickling, as they are sold pickled as "Sweety Drops" in gourmet markets. Marble-sized (1 inch) peppers resemble an inverted teardrop with a distinctive tapered point that resembles a tiny bird's beak. They have vibrant red skin that is smooth, shiny, and glossy, which provides a beautiful color contrast against the dark, glossy foliage. Typically growing to about 2 feet tall, the compact, bushy plants are ideal for patio gardening and growing in containers. Plants are very prolific, producing dozens of peppers per plant.

    • Quick Facts

    • Botanical Name: Capsicum Chinense


    • Life Cycle: Annual/Perennial


    • Light Requirement: Full Sun


    • Planting Season: Warm Season


    • Plant Type: Very Mild 500 - 1,000 Scoville


    • Features: Heirloom, Container Garden


    • Fruit Size: 1 Inch Long


    • Days to Maturity: 75 - 95 Days


    • Plant Spacing: 18 - 24 Inches


    • Planting Depth: 1/4" or 0.25" Inch


    • Sowing Method: Start Indoors, Direct Sow


    • Cold Stratification: No


    • Hardiness Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13


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