Tequila Bell Peppers
Inventory, lb : 0
This item was last sold on : 09/21/24
Description/Taste
Tequila bell peppers are purple vegetables that measure about 10 centimeters in diameter and have a rounded, blocky shape. They have a green stem and a somewhat square shape due to their 4 lobes. This variety has smooth, firm, and glossy skin that transitions from green to lilac purple as they mature. Tequila bell peppers then become orange with occasional purple stripes, eventually becoming bright red at their final maturity. Their thick flesh is ivory, crisp, and juicy with a central, hollow cavity that contains small, flat, and bitter cream-colored seeds and a white, spongy membrane. Tequila bell peppers are typically harvested when they are still purple and are crunchy and aqueous with a mild, semi-sweet flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Tequila bell peppers are available in the late summer to early fall.
Current Facts
Tequila bell peppers are botanically classified as Capsicum annuum and are a member of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family. This family includes eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes, and chili peppers. This colorful hybrid matures in approximately seventy-five days, and the entire plant can grow up to sixty centimeters in height. There are hundreds of other purple pepper varieties, ranging from hot to sweet. Tequila bell peppers should not be confused with the hotter, Tequila Sunrise chile peppers are long, orange, and contain capsaicin, the chemical that causes the brain to think it feels heat. Tequila bell peppers are primarily a culinary breed that's favored by home gardeners for their colorful nature, crunchy texture, and resistance to diseases like the tobacco mosaic virus.
Nutritional Value
The nutritional value of Tequila bell peppers is not well-documented, but purple peppers are generally known for being high in vitamins C, A, and B6, each playing a vital role in supporting overall health. Vitamin C boosts the immune system, promotes collagen production for healthy skin, and acts as an antioxidant. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining good vision, healthy skin, and a strong immune system, while vitamin B6 supports brain health, energy metabolism, and red blood cell production. In addition to these vitamins, purple peppers are a good source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and supports heart health. These vegetables contain folic acid, which is crucial for DNA synthesis and cell division, especially during pregnancy.
Applications
Tequila bell peppers are suited for both raw and cooked applications such as baking, stir-frying, roasting, sautéing, stewing, and grilling. When used fresh, their vibrant coloring is showcased in green salads, on vegetable platters with dips, and in mixed pepper salads served over flatbread. The peppers can also be stir-fried with meat and vegetables, grilled and layered onto sandwiches, stuffed with meat and cheese, blended into soup, or roasted with potatoes, onions, and eggs to make a breakfast hash. Their bright coloring will be lost in cooking and they may turn the dish a pale grey, blue, or purple. Tequila bell peppers pair well with faro, pasta, brown rice, quinoa, thyme, rosemary, sage, basil, fennel, eggplant, corn, cucumber, tomatoes, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, green onion, poultry, fish, scallops, olives, cannellini beans, and balsamic vinegar. They will keep up to one week when stored unwashed in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Tequila bell peppers won the 42nd Mississippi Medallion award from the Mississippi Nursery and Landscape Association in 2007. This award program was developed in 1996 to boost awareness, sale, and production of the state’s ornamental plants. This contest emphasizes sustainability and highlights plants that are naturally suited to grow in Mississippi. The winner is decided amongst three selections that have gone through thorough testing throughout the state. During the trials of this contest, Tequila bell peppers showed that they were not just purple as they underwent several color changes during their growth and could be harvested at any stage.
Geography/History
Tequila bell peppers are descendants of the bell pepper, which are native to tropical America and have been growing there since ancient times. They were then introduced to Asia and Europe by Spanish and Portuguese explorers around 1493, and since then new cultivars have been created throughout the world, including the Tequila bell pepper. This variety is a hybrid breed created for its distinct purple hue and resistance to diseases that plague bell peppers. They are not found in the wild but are grown commercially or sowed in home gardens. This breed thrives in warm climates with full sun and temperatures between approximately 21 and 27 degrees Celcius. Today, Tequila bell peppers may be found at farmers’ markets and specialty stores or sold by seed.
