Purple Ufo
The Purple UFO pepper is a unique heirloom Capsicum annuum variety celebrated for its striking flying saucer-shaped pods that transition from vibrant purple to red. It offers medium heat and a pleasant fruity flavor, making it excellent for both ornamental and culinary use.
Growing
~90 days to maturity
Fruit size
4–5 cm
Flavor & Use
Slightly sweet and fruity when ripe with tangy notes; vegetal when purple; crunchy texture.
Culinary
About
Purple UFO produces distinctive flying saucer-shaped pods approximately 4–5 cm long that start vibrant purple and ripen through orange to deep red. The thin-walled, smooth-skinned fruits are crunchy with a pleasant fruity flavor and medium heat. Plants are prolific with dark foliage and strong branches, reaching 75–150 cm tall and performing well in containers or in-ground. Versatile for ornamental displays and culinary applications like pickling or fresh use.
Backstory
Heirloom variety with unknown specific origins but associated with the United States and reportedly developed or stabilized by breeder Matthew Arthur from a red UFO cross. Its striking shape gives it an extraterrestrial mystique popular among growers.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreWe don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Purple Ufo?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 31,386 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 Purple Ufo taste like?
- Slightly sweet and fruity when ripe with tangy notes; vegetal when purple; crunchy texture.
- How do I grow Purple Ufo?
- Purple Ufo: about 90 days to maturity, subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Purple Ufo?
- Capsi does not have that recorded yet.