Zimbabwe Black Chilli

While the exact "who" and "when" of its creation are shrouded in a little mystery, the Zimbabwe Black chilli pepper is a celebrated landrace variety hailing from, you guessed it, Zimbabwe! It's not so much a modern cross-breed as it is a naturally occurring treasure, cultivated for generations in its homeland. Its story is rooted in the rich soils and sun-drenched landscapes of Africa, a testament to the incredible diversity of the chilli world.

The pods are relatively small, typically growing to about 2-3 cm long, with a charming, slightly conical or teardrop shape that tapers to a neat point. But its colour is the real showstopper. The peppers start a dramatic, glossy black, and as they ripen, they blush from the bottom up, transforming into a deep, rich crimson red. It’s a spectacular sight to see a single plant adorned with peppers in all stages of this beautiful transition.

When it comes to taste, the Zimbabwe Black offers a clean, crisp flavour with a subtle fruitiness that is perfectly balanced by its heat. It packs a satisfying punch, with a Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) rating that typically falls between 30,000 and 50,000. This places it firmly in the medium-hot category, similar to a Cayenne pepper, making it wonderfully versatile.

In the kitchen, these little jewels are fantastic for adding a pop of colour and a zesty kick to salsas and salads (especially when you use both the black and red pods!). They make a visually stunning and deliciously spicy chilli powder, often called "black" paprika, which adds a smoky depth to rubs and seasonings. Their vibrant heat also makes them a brilliant choice for crafting hot sauces that are as beautiful as they are flavourful.

The Zimbabwe Black belongs to the Capsicum Annuum species, which is the most common and widely cultivated of the five domesticated capsicum species. The plant itself is a work of art and a fantastic ornamental. It's a relatively compact and bushy plant, typically growing to about 60-80 cm in height, making it perfect for container gardening on a sunny patio or balcony.

One of its most striking features is its foliage. The leaves are a gorgeous dark green, but the stems and even the veins of the leaves have a deep purple to almost black hue, creating a dramatic and moody backdrop for the bright purple flowers that precede the peppers.

What makes the Zimbabwe Black truly special is its "dark gene." The deep black colour of the unripe pods is caused by a high concentration of anthocyanin, the same antioxidant pigment found in blueberries and blackberries. This pigment is a natural sunscreen for the young fruit! As the pepper matures and the chlorophyll breaks down, the red carotenoid pigments take over, resulting in the final crimson colour. This natural drama makes it a standout in any garden, proving that good things really do come in small, dark, and handsome packages!

All plants are grown on our farm in Norfolk, UK and are grown in an open pollinated area.