Gourmet Pepper is a Capsicum annuum cultivar bred for serious flavor and nutrition. This variety matures in 85 days from transplant and thrives in full sun, reaching harvest readiness when peppers turn their richest colors. The Solanaceae family member demands warmth (minimum 65°F) and consistent moisture, but rewards gardeners with peppers at peak nutritional density and flavor intensity.
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9-11
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The real draw here is that peppers unlock their deepest flavor and highest vitamin content only when they've fully ripened to red, yellow, purple, or orange. Gourmet Pepper has been selected for this culinary transformation, giving you fruit that tastes noticeably richer than early-picked green peppers. At 85 days to harvest, you're looking at a mid-season timeline that lets the plant put its energy into developing those color-shifted fruits rather than rushing early maturity.
Gourmet Pepper excels in fresh applications where its fully ripened color and flavor can shine. Use these in salads, roasted vegetable platters, and sauces where the natural sweetness of red, yellow, or orange fruit is the star. They're also excellent candidates for longer cooking methods like braising or making pepper-based condiments, where their developed flavor profile holds up beautifully.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds in trays 8 to 12 weeks before your anticipated transplant date. Once seedlings develop 2 sets of true leaves, they're ready to grow on. This early start is crucial because peppers need a long season to reach full color development.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings outdoors once nighttime temperatures reliably stay at or above 65°F. Space plants 12 inches apart in rows set 24 inches apart. Handle seedlings gently to avoid disturbing the root system.
Direct sowing is not recommended for Gourmet Pepper. The long season required to reach full maturity and color development makes transplanting the necessary approach.
Gourmet Pepper reaches edible maturity at 85 days from transplanting, but wait for full color development to unlock the variety's best flavor and nutritional content. Harvest when peppers have transitioned from green to red, yellow, purple, or orange, depending on the specific color form you're growing. Use a clean knife or pruners to cut peppers from the plant rather than pulling, which can damage branches. Fully colored peppers contain significantly more vitamins than green fruit, making the wait worthwhile.
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