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Non-GMO
Neonicotinoid-Free
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Habanada Pepper

Quick Facts:

  • Bred by Michael Mazourek of Cornell
  • A unique, heatless habanero
  • Sweet, fruity, tropical-like flavor
  • No trace of heat
  • Approx. 100 days from transplant

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Habanada Pepper

More about Habanada

Capsicum chinense

Habanada is an open-pollinated pepper variety that produces unique, heatless habaneros with a sweet, fruity and citrus-like flavor.  The result of a natural mutation that rendered the habanero—a pepper normally known for its fruity flavor and pounding heat—completely without heat, the Habanada pepper is a godsend to folks who love the unique flavors of the habanero, but not necessarily its burn.  With these heatless pepper varieties, we often get customers asking, "Yeah, but is it totally heatless?" and with this one (and Nadapeno) we can say emphatically, "Yes!"  In fact, our 4-year-old eats them by the handful.  Just be sure if you're growing traditional habaneros, to tell your lit... More

Less

Capsicum chinense

Habanada is an open-pollinated pepper variety that produces unique, heatless habaneros with a sweet, fruity and citrus-like flavor.  The result of a natural mutation that rendered the habanero—a pepper normally known for its fruity flavor and pounding heat—completely without heat, the Habanada pepper is a godsend to folks who love the unique flavors of the habanero, but not necessarily its burn.  With these heatless pepper varieties, we often get customers asking, "Yeah, but is it totally heatless?" and with this one (and Nadapeno) we can say emphatically, "Yes!"  In fact, our 4-year-old eats them by the handful.  Just be sure if you're growing traditional habaneros, to tell your little one that there's a difference.  All of our kids have at one time or another, wandered into a really hot variety.  It's never good.

The origin of the Habanada pepper reportedly traces back to New Mexico, where the unique plant was discovered by researchers measuring heat levels in peppers.  The researchers found that while the peppers looked like habaneros, with their bright orange color and glossy skins, they didn't even register on the Scoville scale.   Seed for this perplexing, heatless habanero was sent to graduate student and aspiring plant breeder, Michael Mazourek, who made it the focus of his doctoral research. 

Mazourek soon discovered that while this new habanero was indeed heatless, it wasn't the holy grail one might hope for, at least not in its existing form.  It produced plants with a range of flavor profiles, some sweet and fruity, others a little "off", some just plain bad.  As such, he embarked on a multiyear effort to backcross the line to traditional habaneros in order to impart their classic, fruity flavor while carrying along the heatless trait.  The resulting line, named Habanada, boasted the melon-like, tropical aroma one would expect from a habanero, but now with a lingering sweetness, and true to its new name, no heat.  The unique pepper quickly gained popularity with chefs worldwide and became one of the most talked-about ingredients in the years that followed. 

Thankfully, you don't have to dine at a Michelin star restaurant to enjoy the delicious flavor of the Habanada pepper.  You can grow them yourself and enjoy them at peak freshness right from your own garden.  The Habanada pepper matures approximately 100 days after transplant.  Each packet contains a minimum of 10 seeds.

 

Capsicum chinense

Habanada is an open-pollinated pepper variety that produces unique, heatless habaneros with a sweet, fruity and citrus-like flavor.  The result of a natural mutation that rendered the habanero—a pepper normally known for its fruity flavor and pounding heat—completely without heat, the Habanada pepper is a godsend to folks who love the unique flavors of the habanero, but not necessarily its burn.  With these heatless pepper varieties, we often get ... read more

read less

Capsicum chinense

Habanada is an open-pollinated pepper variety that produces unique, heatless habaneros with a sweet, fruity and citrus-like flavor.  The result of a natural mutation that rendered the habanero—a pepper normally known for its fruity flavor and pounding heat—completely without heat, the Habanada pepper is a godsend to folks who love the unique flavors of the habanero, but not necessarily its burn.  With these heatless pepper varieties, we often get customers asking, "Yeah, but is it totally heatless?" and with this one (and Nadapeno) we can say emphatically, "Yes!"  In fact, our 4-year-old eats them by the handful.  Just be sure if you're growing traditional habaneros, to tell your little one that there's a difference.  All of our kids have at one time or another, wandered into a really hot variety.  It's never good.

The origin of the Habanada pepper reportedly traces back to New Mexico, where the unique plant was discovered by researchers measuring heat levels in peppers.  The researchers found that while the peppers looked like habaneros, with their bright orange color and glossy skins, they didn't even register on the Scoville scale.   Seed for this perplexing, heatless habanero was sent to graduate student and aspiring plant breeder, Michael Mazourek, who made it the focus of his doctoral research. 

Mazourek soon discovered that while this new habanero was indeed heatless, it wasn't the holy grail one might hope for, at least not in its existing form.  It produced plants with a range of flavor profiles, some sweet and fruity, others a little "off", some just plain bad.  As such, he embarked on a multiyear effort to backcross the line to traditional habaneros in order to impart their classic, fruity flavor while carrying along the heatless trait.  The resulting line, named Habanada, boasted the melon-like, tropical aroma one would expect from a habanero, but now with a lingering sweetness, and true to its new name, no heat.  The unique pepper quickly gained popularity with chefs worldwide and became one of the most talked-about ingredients in the years that followed. 

Thankfully, you don't have to dine at a Michelin star restaurant to enjoy the delicious flavor of the Habanada pepper.  You can grow them yourself and enjoy them at peak freshness right from your own garden.  The Habanada pepper matures approximately 100 days after transplant.  Each packet contains a minimum of 10 seeds.

 

Boy holding slice of watermelon
Kids eating watermelon

How to Grow Sweet Peppers

Peppers perform best in well-drained soil that contains plenty of organic matter and adequate phosphorous and calcium. Mulching plants with poly, paper, or natural materials will ensure consistent moisture throughout the root zone.

For earliest harvest, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Sow seeds 1/4" deep in well moistened, sterile seed-starting mix. The ideal temperature for pepper seed germination is 85 degrees. For best results, place a grower's heat mat beneath trays until germination has occurred. Under ideal conditions, germination should occur in 10-14 days.

After danger of frost has passed, set transplants 18-24" apart in rows 24-36" apart. Ensure that plants receive 1-2" of water per week. Avoid over-application of nitrogen as this can cause vegetative growth at the expense of fruit set.

Insect Pests

Biological controls such as Bacillus thuringiensis can be effective in controlling climbing cutworms. Aphids, flea beetles, and other hard-shelled insects can be controlled with a simple homemade insecticidal soap solution.

Diseases & Other Problems

To prevent common pepper diseases like Phytopthora and bacterial spot, avoid watering plants at night or on cool, cloudy days. Excess nitrogen and/or insufficient phosphorous can cause pepper plants to become bushy and produce few blossoms.

Peppers can be harvested at any time, but should be picked before they become soft or overly mature. Harvesting regularly will encourage further fruit set. Peppers can be stored in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Select disease-free plants that are true-to-type. Pepper plants are prone to cross pollination by bees, so precautions should be taken to prevent pollination by insects. Covering plants with mosquito netting is an effective method to protect against pollen contamination.

HARVESTING SEED:

Harvest mature, disease-free fruit that have developed their final color. Cut open fruit and use a gloved hand to remove the seed. Dry on a coffee filter or paper towel. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

SEED LONGETIVITY:

Pepper seeds will remain viable for three years when stored under ideal conditions.

Little boy gardening

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