# Calico Pepper

Also known as Calico Ornamental Pepper, Capsicum annuum 'Calico'.
Species: Capsicum annuum.

Calico Pepper is a Capsicum annuum cultivar from Illinois, United States. Capsi’s sourced range is 40,000–70,000 SHU (Vendor Claim). Flavor is peppery, neutral. Used for Primarily ornamental. Fruit is edible but flavor is neutral and peppery, used mainly for heat or visual color in salsas, pickles, or arrangements when desired.. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
About 2.2 times a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU typical).

## Heat sources

- 50,000–70,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Ohio Peppers
  https://ohiopeppers.com/product/calico/

- 40,000–60,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  HRSeeds
  https://www.hrseeds.com/product-page/calico-pepper

- 70,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Sea Spring Seeds
  https://seaspringseeds.co.uk/shop/vegetable-seeds/chilli-seeds/spice-type-chilli-seeds/calico-chilli-seed/

- 50,000–70,000 SHU · Unverified
  (2017) PepperScale
  https://pepperscale.com/calico-pepper/

## Heritage

Nothing reputable documents a pedigree for this pepper.

## Page sources

- [PanAmerican Seed plant information and culture notes for Calico F1](https://www.panamseed.com/Products/045600001000942/ornamental-pepper-calico)
- [Ball Seed plant details: height, foliage, fruit notes](https://www.ballseed.com/PlantInfo/?phid=045600001000942)
- [Ohio Peppers listing with heat claim and description](https://ohiopeppers.com/product/calico/)
- [PepperScale overview of heat, appearance, and use](https://pepperscale.com/calico-pepper/)
- [2008 introduction note by Ball Horticultural](https://neilsperry.com/2008/08/plant-of-the-month-august-2008/)
- [HRSeeds product description and heat range](https://www.hrseeds.com/product-page/calico-pepper)

## FAQ
### How hot is Calico Pepper?

Capsi’s sourced range is 40,000–70,000 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 Calico Pepper taste like?

Neutral and peppery. Heat is the dominant feature; little sweetness or complexity.

### How do I grow Calico Pepper?

Calico Pepper: about 90 days to maturity, warm climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

### What can I substitute for Calico Pepper?

Capsi does not have that recorded yet.

Page: https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/calico-pepper
Catalog: https://web.thecapsi.app/data