# California Wonder Pepper

Also known as Cal Wonder, California Wonder Bell, California Wonder 300 TMR.
Species: Capsicum annuum.

California Wonder Pepper is a Capsicum annuum landrace from California, United States. Capsi’s sourced range is 0 SHU (Lab-verified). Flavor is sweet, crisp, fresh, mild. Used for stuffing, salads, grilling, sautéing, fajitas. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.

## Heat sources

- 0 SHU · Lab-verified
  Andrey Vega-Alfaro, Paul C. Bethke, James Nienhuis (2021) HortScience 56(11):1347–1353 · HPLC
  DOI: 10.21273/HORTSCI15948-21
  https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15948-21

- 0 SHU · Official breeder
  Stephanie Walker, Paul W. Bosland NMSU Cooperative Extension Service Guide H-240
  https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H240/index.html

- 0 SHU · Vendor Claim
  California Wonder Pepper Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses
  https://pepperscale.com/california-wonder-pepper/

## Heritage

Landrace

California Wonder Pepper is a traditional landrace.

Credit: 1928

Bosland’s HortScience paper quotes the 1937 USDA Yearbook calling California Wonder a 1928 selection by an unnamed California grower and names no parents. Established catalogs date the heirloom to 1928; claimed introducers conflict and stay unproven.

## Page sources

- [Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — detailed history, description, growing and flavor notes](https://www.rareseeds.com/pepper-sweet-california-wonder)
- [PepperScale — Scoville, species, flavor profile, culinary uses, appearance](https://pepperscale.com/california-wonder-pepper/)
- [Thresh Seed — introduction year, plant/fruit specs, growing and seed-saving guidance](https://www.threshseed.com/products/california-wonder-pepper)
- [Smart Gardener — detailed metrics on size, height, days to maturity, taste profile](https://www.smartgardener.com/plants/1172-peppers-california-wonder/overview)
- [OSU Extension — cultivar description, dependability, characteristics for California Wonder](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ec-1227-grow-your-own-peppers)
- [Burpee Seeds — key attributes, height, stuffing use, and variety confirmation](https://www.burpee.com/pepper-sweet-california-wonder-prod000825.html)
- [NMSU Extension — recommended bell pepper cultivar for New Mexico gardens, pod type and uses description](https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H240/index.html)

## FAQ
### How hot is California Wonder Pepper?

Capsi’s sourced range is 0 SHU (Lab-verified). 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 California Wonder Pepper taste like?

Crisp, sweet, fresh garden flavor with mild grassy notes when green; noticeably sweeter and more developed when fully ripe red.

### How do I grow California Wonder Pepper?

California Wonder Pepper: about 75 days to maturity, warm season / temperate to subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

### What can I substitute for California Wonder Pepper?

Yolo Wonder, King of the North, any standard sweet bell peppers

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