Dragon’s Toe

Yellow Dragon’s Toe Pepper

The Yellow Dragon’s Toe pepper, originating from Southern China, is a striking variant of the Dragon’s Toe pepper. Its yellow coloration marks a significant deviation from the original Dragon’s Toe’s typical red. Known for their distinct, wrinkly appearance reminiscent of a wad of gum and an elongated shape that can grow up to 3.5 inches, these peppers are incredibly prolific, producing a bountiful yield. The vibrant color and unique shape of the Yellow Dragon’s Toe make it both a culinary delight and an excellent ornamental plant.

Flavor Profile and Culinary Uses

The Yellow Dragon’s Toe pepper has a sweet yet spicy flavor profile, with a heat level that varies widely. Personal tasting experiences suggest a heat level in the range of 7,000-12,000 SHUs, while some online sources claim it can reach nearly 8 times that level, which is quite peculiar. These peppers are highly versatile in the kitchen, perfect for stir-fries, salads, hot sauces, and suitable for both roasting and grilling. Their distinctive taste and texture enhance a wide array of dishes, especially those inspired by Asian cuisine.

Genetic Lineage and Stability

The Yellow Dragon’s Toe’s unique yellow coloration first appeared in the F3-F4 generations, derived from the commercially hybridized Red Dragon’s Toe. The consistent production of yellow fruit in these generations suggests the involvement of a recessive gene. This inference is supported by Mendelian genetics, which indicates that the plants are likely homozygous recessive for the yellow trait (rr). Consequently, all progeny in the F5 generation are also expected to be rr, uniformly producing yellow fruit. This genetic consistency ensures that the F5 generation of the Yellow Dragon’s Toe pepper seeds will be stable in both color and characteristics.