What Are Peppadew Peppers?
You've probably seen Peppadew peppers pop up in recipes and restaurant menus, but what exactly are they? Well, we hate to burst your bubble, but Peppadew is not an actual type of pepper, but rather it is a brand owned by a South African company called Peppadew International. The peppers are actually called Capiscum baccatum, or piquanté peppers. To produce the classic sweet piquanté peppers, Peppadew cultivates and pickles the peppers in a brine that results in a sweet and spicy pepper that is perfect for salads, antipasto, pizza toppings, and more.
History Of The Peppadew Brand
The PEPPADEW® brand was named after the flavor of the piquanté pepper: "spicy like a pepper (peppa) but at the same time sweet and tantalizing (like the morning dew)." Piquanté peppers are indigenous to Central America, but somehow made their way to South Africa, which is where they were first discovered and cultivated. After their discovery in South Africa in 1993, the peppers eventually made their way onto the market under the trademarked PEPPADEW® brand name. Since Peppadew International was first the company to sell piquanté peppers to the masses, people often think that the peppers are actually called Peppadews. Another misconception about piquanté peppers is that they are a hybrid of a pepper and a cherry tomato, however that theory has been debunked.
Though Peppadew is most well known for their piquanté peppers, they also have a ton of other yummy products like golden peppers, jalapeño peppers, pickled onions, pasta sauces, relishes, and more.
How Hot Are Peppadew Peppers?
You don't have to have a high spice tolerance to enjoy Peppadew peppers. On the Scoville scale, the Peppadew pepper comes in at 1177 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). For reference, this about the same heat as a poblano pepper and four times milder than a jalapeño pepper.
Peppers Similar To Peppadew
If you need a quick substitution for Peppadew peppers, these peppers should get the job done:
Pimientos
You've heard of pimiento cheese, right? These are the peppers that make the Southern cheese spread so tasty! Pimientos are a small and red and barely register on the Scoville scale.
Piquillo peppers
Piquillo peppers make a great substitution for Peppadew peppers because they are also sweet with a little heat.
Poblano peppers
While poblano peppers are mostly used in Mexican and southwest style cuisine, they have about the same heat as Peppadew peppers.
How To Use Peppadew Peppers
Since Peppadew peppers are pickled, they are best stuffed with meats and cheeses or for snacking. They are also a super tasty addition to sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and salsas. Check out these recipes for unique ways to add a little sweet spiciness to your food:
Sweet & Spicy Stuffed Peppadew Peppers
Stuffing Peppadews is one of the most common ways to use these sweet and spicy peppers. You can buy them pre-stuffed, or you can stuff them at home by following this recipe.
Peppadew Pepper Caprese Skewers With Balsamic Glaze
Spice up this classic appetizer by adding Peppadews!
Peppadew Pepper, Goat Cheese, And Bacon Grilled Cheese
Say goodbye to boring plain grilled cheeses, and say hello to your new favorite comfort food.
Roasted Salmon With Tomatoes And Peppadew Peppers
This roasted salmon recipe is easy to make and hits all the right notes.