Peppers are so delicious, right?! They've become so popular in the culinary world that it's estimated that there are over 50,000 types of peppers! They range in various sizes, flavors, heat levels, and colors! From the well-known sweet and crunchy Bell Pepper to the current official hottest pepper, the Carolina Reaper, described as having a sweet, fruity taste for a split second, then immediately turns into molten lava! The hotness of peppers is based on the Scoville Scale ( SHU), ranging from Zero to over Two million SHU!
Whether you are starting your very first spicy pepper or salsa garden or are a well-versed pepper gardener, it could be quite the task to decide where to begin with all those pepper varieties! It's a good idea to start with a few different kinds, that way, you can use them in various recipes and figure out which types you and your family like best!
To help take the guesswork out of it, we've put together two different pepper kits! Our newer 8-Variety Pepper Garden Seed Set and our 4 -Variety Spicy Pepper Starter Kit. Both are perfect for beginning your journey into the world of spicy peppers without jumping straight into an insanely molting hot Carolina Reaper's level of heat! Our Spicy Pepper Starter Kit comes with everything you need to get started: Soil, Pots, Seeds, Wooden Markers, and Sprout Sheers. The Seed Set only comes with the Seeds and Plants markers and is the perfect expansion to the Starter Kit, or if you already have the other supplies handy.
Below is a bit about each of the Pepper varieties in our kits, in descending order from mild to hot!
Anaheim: This is a more mild pepper with just a hint of kick, coming in at 500 – 2,500 SHU. They are a thinner, curved chili that grows to be about 5" long. It the perfect pick if you are bored of Bell Peppers and want to dip your toes in the spicy pepper world!
Poblano: This mild to medium heat Chili typically grows 4 inches long, heart-shaped, and is deep green in color, maturing to dark red or brown. It comes in around 1,000 – 1,500 SHU. You may also know it as the "Ancho Pepper," which is the dried version of the Pablano and tends to be a bit spicier than a fresh Pablano!
New Mexico: It is interchangeably called the "Green Hatch Chili," getting its name from where it's grown, the Hatch Valley in New Mexico! They have a wide-ranging variety of medium to moderate heat at 1,000 to 8,000 SHU, mainly depending on the specific type and growing conditions! They are a thin, longer chili, averaging 6-8" long.
Jalapeno: This Pepper is probably one of the most famous varieties out there! Although it's known as a "Hot Pepper," it is a mild to medium green Chili that comes in at 2,500 – 8,000 SHU. It grows up to 3" long and is celebrated in the culinary world from everything from stuff-peppers, to salads, to pizza!
Hungarian Hot Wax: As its name suggests, it originates from Hungary. But beware, as this moderately medium Chili looks a lot like the much milder Banana Pepper and comes in at 5,000 – 10,000 SHU. It grows to be about 5-8" long, and it is most harvested when it's yellow but will turn red if you let it and become much hotter! 
Tabasco: This is a small, tapered pepper best known for its use in yet another kitchen staple, Tabasco Sauce! It's a medium-hot Chili coming in at 30,000 – 50,000 SHU. It only grows 1-2" long, starts out in shades of yellow, then oranges, then finally to bright red once it's mature.
Cayenne: This is a thin, medium-hot chili whose heat level comes in around the 30,000 – 50,000 SHU range. It starts out green in color, turns red as it ripens, and grows up to 3-5" long on average. The Cayenne pepper is a kitchen spice staple and is probably hanging out in your cupboard in the guise of powder or flake form.
Habanero: This pepper's combination of heat, yummy flavor, and aroma make it popular in spicy dishes and sauces! It is pod-like in shape, bright orange, and only grows 1-3". It comes in at pretty toasty hot 100,000 – 350,000 SHU!
Whew! That's a lot of spicy! We hope all that information has you enthusiastically ready to grow and pick pecks of Peppers just like Peter Piper! You can view the 8-Variety Spicy Pepper Seed Set here and the 4-variety Spicy Pepper Starter Kit here.
Happy Pepper Planting!
Have any questions? We are here to answer them and help you every step of the way! You can message us on our Facebook Page or email us at wecare@shopgardenrepublic.com. For extra tips and growing advice for these two kits, you can download our Spicy Pepper Advanced Growing Guide PDF here.
