This website uses cookies, pixels, and other tracking technologies to personalize content, analyze how our site and apps are used, and create aggregated statistics.
We disclose data about site and app users to third parties so we can target our ads to you on other websites, and those third parties may use that data for their own purposes.
For more information on how we collect, use, and disclose this information, please review our
Privacy Policy.
Continued use of this site means you consent to our Privacy Policy.
Florina peppers are large, elongated, and slightly curved pods often likened to the form of a cow’s horn in Greece, and have a conical shape that tapers to a distinct point on the non-stem end. The skin is glossy, smooth, and firm, ripening from green to a deep red when mature, and connects to a long and semi-thick, bright green stem. Underneath the skin, the pale red flesh is crisp, highly fragrant, and aqueous, encasing a hollow, central cavity that contains many small, flat, and round, cream-colored seeds. When consumed, Florina peppers are crunchy and tender with a sweet flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Fresh Florina peppers are available in the fall in Greece, while the canned peppers are available year-round.
Current Facts
Florina peppers, botanically classified as Capsicum annuum, are thick, curved fruits that grow on low, leafy bushes and are members of the Solanaceae, or nightshade family. Named after Florina, a small mountain town in Greece where the peppers are grown, Florina peppers are harvested each season by hand and are considered to be one of the most exported peppers of Greece. Florina peppers are highly favored for their sweet taste and are primarily roasted and sold in jars filled with vinegar, herbs, and oils.
Nutritional Value
Florina peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that can help protect the immune system and increase collagen production within the body. The peppers are also a good source of vitamins C, D, K, and E, iron, manganese, potassium, and fiber.
Applications
Florina peppers can be consumed fresh but are most commonly prepared roasted or sautéed. When cooked, the peppers are often mixed with fragrant olive oils as a light side dish to serve with barbecued meats, or they are grilled for a richer flavor, garnished with cheese and baked into a tart, or stuffed with various cheeses, meat, and rice. The peppers can also be chopped and added to pasta, mixed with other cooked vegetables, layered in sandwiches, tossed in both green and grain salads, or blended to make a sweet sauce that is served over bruschetta, cannelloni, poultry, or sausage. In addition to fresh applications, Florina peppers are canned or dried for extended use and are pickled for a sweet-sour flavor. Florina peppers pair well with cheeses such as feta, graviera, ricotta, and parmesan, herbs such as basil, dill, oregano, and parsley, green olives, cabbage, eggplant, chickpeas, and lentils. The peppers will keep 1-2 weeks when stored in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Greece, Florina peppers are layered in large piles at fresh markets to create a bright, colorful, and fragrant display to attract consumers. Offered fresh for a limited time, Florina peppers are only grown in Florina and were awarded the Protected Designation of Origin in 1994. A label given by the World Trade Organization, these peppers are geographically safeguarded, and only the peppers grown in Florina are given the famous name to ensure that quality is maintained. In Aetos, Florina, a small village within the region, an annual festival known as the Feast of the Pepper is also held to celebrate the pepper’s economic and culinary impact. During the festival, the townspeople of Aetos set up tables in the center of the village to celebrate the history of the red pepper through a wide range of meals, live music, and entertainment.
Geography/History
Florina peppers are descendants of sweet peppers that were introduced from Brazil to Greece in the 17th century and were test cultivated in several regions throughout Greece. From these test regions, Florina peppers were only successful in the soil and climate of Florina, and today Florina is still the only region in Greece to grow the peppers. Florina peppers can be found at fresh local markets in Florina and surrounding cities, and in canned form, the peppers are sold internationally in North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia.
Organic products Daskalakis estate
Manousogiannakidon 8–10 731 36 Chania, Crete, Greece
Florina peppers are in season in Greece and are favored for their sweet taste…Florina peppers are known for their bright red hue and unique horn-like shape, tapering to a pointed end. Their firm, glossy skin and crisp pale red flesh make them highly fragrant and watery. Inside, they encase a hollow central cavity filled with cream-colored seeds. Their crunch and tender texture pair with a sweet flavor, making them a sought-after ingredient in many culinary traditions of Greece.
Winterfeldtplatz
Winterfeldtplatz, 10781 Berlin, Germany
Florina peppers: Florina peppers are versatile and pair well with cheeses like feta, ricotta, and parmesan, as well as herbs such as basil, dill, and parsley. They can be roasted, grilled, stuffed, or blended into sauces for dishes like bruschetta or cannelloni. For extended shelf life, they can be canned, dried, or pickled with a sweet-sour touch and will stay fresh for 1-2 weeks stored in the fridge's crisper drawer.
Wochenmarkt Karl-August-Platz
Karl August Platz, 10625 Berlin, Germany
Florina peppers: These Greek peppers, known for their sweet taste, are hand-harvested and widely exported from Florina, Greece. They are often roasted and preserved in jars with vinegar, herbs, and oils. Packed with nutrients, Florina peppers are rich in vitamins C, D, K, and E, along with iron, manganese, potassium, and fiber, offering antioxidant benefits and supporting immune and collagen health.
Kalivis SA
Central market of Athens L-27
Florina peppers originate from sweet peppers brought to Greece from Brazil in the 17th century. While initially cultivated in different regions of Greece, they thrived uniquely in Florina's soil and climate, making Florina the sole region in Greece that produces them today. Sold fresh locally and canned globally, they are exported to North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia.
Kalivis SA
Central market of Athens L-27
Florina peppers are uniquely grown in the Florina region of Greece and were awarded Protected Designation of Origin status in 1994. This ensures only peppers from Florina can use the name, preserving their quality and authenticity. In the village of Aetos, residents honor the pepper's importance through the Feast of the Pepper festival, featuring meals, live music, and entertainment.
Kalivis SA
Central market of Athens L-27
Florina peppers are known for their vibrant red color and unique conical shape, reminiscent of a cow’s horn. Their glossy skin encases crisp, fragrant flesh, making them both visually appealing and delicious. With a crunchy texture and sweet flavor, these peppers are perfect for grilling or adding depth to dishes. Their hollow cavity contains small cream-colored seeds, adding to their easy preparation for culinary use.
Nature's Fresh
Central market of Athens Y-12-13-14
View on Instagram
210 4831874 [email protected]
Florina peppers offer incredible versatility. They're delicious when roasted or sautéed, making them a perfect match for barbecued meats, but also add flavor when grilled, stuffed, or baked into dishes. They complement cheeses like feta or parmesan and pair well with herbs such as oregano and parsley. Florina peppers can even be canned or pickled for a sweet-sour twist, adding depth to salads, pasta, or bruschetta. They'll stay fresh for 1-2 weeks when stored properly.
Kalivis SA
Central market of Athens L-27
Florina peppers are botanically classified as Capsicum annuum and originate from Florina, a mountainous Greek town. These sweet peppers are hand-harvested and widely exported, often roasted and preserved in vinegar, herbs, and oils. They pack a nutritional punch, offering a rich source of vitamins C, K, D, and E, as well as iron, manganese, potassium, and dietary fiber, making them a delicious and healthy choice.
Lalas S.A
Central market of Athens M 18-20
View on Instagram
002104826243 [email protected]
Florina peppers: These sweet peppers originated from Brazil but found their ideal growing conditions in the soil and climate of Florina, Greece. Introduced in the 17th century, they remain exclusive to Florina for cultivation. While locally sold fresh in Florina and nearby markets, their canned versions have gained international reach, appearing in North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia.
Nature fresh SA
Central market of Athens Greece Y-14
View on Instagram
Florina peppers are a treasured produce of Greece, specifically grown in the Florina region, and were recognized with Protected Designation of Origin status in 1994. These vibrant red peppers are celebrated annually at the Feast of the Pepper in Aetos, a village in Florina, where the community gathers to honor their culinary and economic significance with food, music, and festivities. Their cultivation is geographically safeguarded to preserve their unique quality.
is easiest, three is harder.
