Royal Black Pepper Seeds
If you’re looking at the Royal Black chili, you’re about to be in for a treat. These little guys are quite the showstoppers in any garden. Fruit start off with a deep purple color that’s almost black, then as they ripen, they turn a gorgeous crimson red. They’re not super big, just about an inch long. What they lack in size, they make up for in looks.
As an ornamental, the dark foliage makes the bright red ripe fruit stand out. They’re a hit for anyone who’s into landscaping with chilis. So, whether you’re looking to spice up your garden or your dishes, the Royal Black chili’s got you covered.
Heat Level
The heat level of these guys are a surprise package. Online sources place royal black peppers heat to be in the 5,000 to 30,000 Scoville scale range. That means some are just about as spicy as your average jalapeño, while others can get as hot as a milder cayenne pepper. In practice, we find them to be on the extreme warm end of this range, if not even hotter, crossing into the 50,000+ range.
Yes, you can eat an ornamental!
In terms of flavor, they’re more about the heat than the taste. They’ve got a straightforward peppery flavor. Don’t expect them to be the star of your dish like some other chilies might be, but they’ll definitely add some kick to it. Too often folks hear ornamental and think that means not edible. That is 100% false! Typically they are a little better used dried/flaked, but can also be used fresh for a burst of heat.
Caring for these beauties is pretty chill. They’re low maintenance and grow compact, perfect for a balcony garden or a small space. Plus, they’re pretty tough against pests, which is always a bonus.
