Starfish, Yellow

Description

Starfish Yellow (C. baccatum) is a Brazilian pepper built like a flying saucer — 4–5 cm across and only about 1.5 cm high, flattened, with radiating lobes that give it the name. Unlike the standard Brazilian Starfish it stops at a radiant yellow; there is no red stage.

What makes it worth growing is that the flavour and the heat sit in different parts of the pod. The lobes and edges are sweet and fruity with a distinct apple note; the heat is concentrated in the centre and arrives as a surprise. A cook can literally trim the heat out, which makes this one of the best peppers in the catalogue for someone who wants flavour without commitment — and the yellow form runs thicker-walled and a touch milder than the red. Published heat estimates vary enormously, from very mild to well above jalapeño, so taste your own before you plan a dish around it.

The plant grows tall for a baccatum — up to 1.7 m in the ground and around 1.4 m in a container — starting upright and turning pendant as the crop comes on. It takes half shade happily and produces over a long window.

It is related to the Bishop’s Crown and Cambuci group, which share the same sweet-wings-and-hot-core trick, though they are separate varieties. Stuff them, pickle them, slice them raw into salads, or dry them.

Some chilies are worth tasting before you grow them. → Explore the Vault

Each pack contains approximately 8–10 or more seeds per variety.
Seeds are packaged in a certified EU seed packaging facility in accordance with applicable regulations.

Categories: Chili Seeds , C. baccatum , Medium , Bonsai , Easy to grow