Black Hungarian Pepper
Also known as Hungarian Black · Fekete Szentesi Paprika · Black Hungarian Chile Pepper
Black Hungarian is a Capsicum annuum sold as a Hungarian garden heirloom. Conical jalapeño-shaped fruits ripen from green through shiny purple-black, the dark color only skin-deep, then finish red, and the compact plants are grown for purple flowers and purple-veined leaves as much as for the kitchen.
About 1/10 the typical heat of a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU).
Growing
~75 days to maturity
Fruit size
5–10 cm
Flavor & Use
Unripe black-stage peppers are crisp and fresh with bell-pepper notes and lower heat. Fully ripe red peppers develop a sweeter profile with smoky, fruity, and earthy tones, reminiscent of a milder, sweeter Fresno pepper.
Culinary
About
Plants stand 24 to 36 inches tall with green leaves marked by purple veins, dark purple stems, and violet flowers. Fruits are conical and jalapeño-shaped, 2 to 4 inches long, with thick glossy walls. They start green, turn a shiny deep purple-black, then ripen red. Heat is medium once the fruit is fully ripe. Use them fresh in salsa and salads, or pickle, roast, stuff, or dry them. The plants are productive and take well to containers and edible landscaping.
Backstory
North American catalogs have sold Black Hungarian as a Hungarian home-garden type for decades, with purple-black fruit and ornamental foliage. Many English listings name the town of Kiskunfélegyháza. At least one US grower traces their stock to a friend's garden in Szeged.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExplorePeppers bred from Black Hungarian Pepper
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Black Hungarian Pepper?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 100–20,000 SHU (Vendor Claim). Capsi uses a sourced range and a trust tier, not a single marketing number. How we verify heat: https://web.thecapsi.app/learn/heat-and-capsaicin/how-we-measure-heat
- What does Black Hungarian Pepper taste like?
- Unripe black-stage peppers are crisp and fresh with bell-pepper notes and lower heat. Fully ripe red peppers develop a sweeter profile with smoky, fruity, and earthy tones, reminiscent of a milder, sweeter Fresno pepper.
- How do I grow Black Hungarian Pepper?
- Black Hungarian Pepper: about 75 days to maturity, temperate climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Black Hungarian Pepper?
- jalapeño, fresno pepper