Description

The Capsicum annuum ‘Pimiento de Padrón’ is a cherished heirloom pepper from Galicia, in northwestern Spain, where it has been cultivated and enjoyed for centuries as a culinary staple and social ritual. These small, wrinkled, cone-shaped peppers—typically 2–3 inches long—are famed for their unpredictable heat: most are mild, but every so often, one delivers a surprise kick. This playful balance of flavor and spice inspired the saying, “Os pementos de Padrón, uns pican e outros non” — “Some are hot and some are not.”

The plants are compact, bushy, and highly productive, reaching 18–24 inches in height and producing abundant clusters of tender green pods throughout summer. Fruits mature from deep green to rich red, though they are traditionally harvested young and green for frying. The thin-skinned pods have a delicate, grassy sweetness when picked early, developing light smokiness and mild heat as they mature.

When pan-fried in olive oil and sprinkled with coarse sea salt, these peppers transform into the iconic Spanish tapa, blistered and bursting with flavor—a dish that captures the rustic charm of the Galician countryside. Their mild, nutty taste also shines in stir-fries, pasta, and grilled vegetable platters.

With a mild Scoville rating averaging 500–2,500 SHU, the Pimiento de Padrón offers more flavor than fire, making it ideal for adventurous eaters and family gardens alike. This variety matures quickly, thrives in containers, and rewards even novice growers with continuous harvests.

Originating from Spanish monastic gardens in the 16th and 17th centuries, these peppers were introduced from Indigenous American varieties brought to Europe during early transatlantic exchanges. Over generations, Galician farmers selected them for tenderness, prolific yield, and their now-famous “Russian roulette” heat.

To grow Padrón peppers is to cultivate a living piece of history—a pepper that bridges continents, cultures, and centuries through shared love of flavor, tradition, and the joy of surprise at the table.